Press Statement: Guyana Public Service Union Re: State of Affairs in Guyana, breakdown of trust and confidence
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) continues to closely monitor what is widely perceived to be a breakdown in trust and confidence between the Citizenry at large, many of whom are Union Members, and State Institutions. Circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two youths in Linden and little Adrianna Younge at Tuschen on the East Bank Essequibo serve as prime examples.
This breakdown in trust and confidence extends to the employer/ employee relationship, which includes the inordinate delay in the full and complete implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements.
For example:
1. The Collective Agreement signed on December 10, 2024, between the Guyana Public Service Union and the Government of Guyana providing for, inter alia, an eight percent (8%) across-the -board increase in wages and salaries effective January 1, 2025. However, as of May 15, 2025, this agreement is yet to be honoured.
2. Despite repeated complaints by the Guyana Public Service Union, the Government of Guyana continues to maintain several persons on contract occupying substantive positions. Additional to undermining security of tenure, this questionable action stagnates upward mobility.
Regarding the aforementioned deaths, law enforcement was viewed as being either directly responsible for committing the act, as in the cases in Linden, or aiding and abetting, as in Little Adrianna’s case. Further, while the Union firmly supports the prosecution of criminal activities under appropriate sections of the Law, the arbitrary arrest, arraignment and detention of persons on charges of inciting terrorism, as a consequence of protest action and or picketing exercises, is cause for further concern.
Noteworthy is that the perceived breakdown in trust and confidence has come at a time when we are experiencing an elevated threat to our territorial integrity on the western frontier, which requires a united national posture.
Hence, while the Union remains concerned as it relates to the state of affairs, it is hopeful that the relationship can be speedily improved through dialogue and appropriate corrective action.
May 15, 2025.