We do so painfully aware of the degradation and hardships currently endured by our struggling and deprived members due to ongoing inflation, failing economic prowess, mismanagement and extravagance of an uncaring employer. All of this prevails and undermines sustainable development to the benefit of all in our beloved nation.  

I would like to dedicate this year’s message to all of our members for without their collective strength, unwavering support and great sacrifice throughout these turbulent years, the union's capacity to be reinvigorated, reenergized, effective and the many advances made, would not have been possible. Additionally your selflessness and unstinted service has salvaged the collapse of the delivery of many public services that the citizenry needs and depend on by discharging your duties diligently while confronted with deliberate political action to weaken morale. 

 In recognizing and applauding your conduct as Professional Public Service Workers, I am confident that your continued sterling performance and mature display of unity and restraint, self-awareness and involvement will advance our causes and secure the viability of our great union for future generations of public servants and the Guyanese working class. This consciousness, maturity and togetherness was manifested and vividly displayed by our members in our Intuitional Strengthening and Capacity Building Project in 2008 and recently in our General Election for the Executive Council in April this year.  

Our great union was founded on basic fundamental principles of fair and equitable treatment for all, the pursuit of social and economic justice, decent work as advocated by the International Labour Organisation, etc. Coincidentally, our organisation anniversary celebration takes place during the period of the Annual Conference of International Labour Organisation, to us it is of great significance that we share with the ILO, a common mission, together enhancing and protecting the rights and welfare of workers and their families.   

 For this we have been treated as enemies by the Government of Guyana and made to struggle against many atrocities to protect our members and defend the existence our union because they regard our objective as a crime. 

These charges include - Pursuing free and collective bargaining,  Security of tenure,  fair and equitable  treatment for all workers,  guarantee of due process,  a living wage,  adequate and realistic allowances,  guarantee for conditions of work and benefits that were negotiated and/or implemented and a work environment free from political and racial discrimination. For these charges outlined above, we unapologetically plead guilty and would deliberately and intentionally pursue and commit these crimes for our valued members. It must however be noted that while we battle for security of tenure with strong opposition from the regime in government, they themselves have recently passed in Parliament  legislation securing excessive superannuation benefits for the holders of Office of the President without quantum being based on length of service nor a requirement for an evaluation of performance in office. At the same time the regime has passed in parliament oppressive legislation intended to curtail  fundamental rights, trade union rights,  human rights, the worker right to withhold their labour power. This we will challenge and resist. Such double standards we often encounter and endure when defending workers rights.  

 It must also be noted that notwithstanding the many difficulties and injustices we suffer our foundation is solid and intact. I salute our members for their alertness and willingness to defend our union at all times. As Guyanese our patriotism and loyalty are unquestionable. We view the government’s conduct, anti-working class policies and practices as an unfortunate period in the history of our beloved country. We have the capacity to endure and will overcome these anti-working class assaults and will not allow it to affect our determination and commitment to make a contribution to the development of a modern professional career public service of Guyana that delivers quality public service to our nation. It is also essential that workers enjoy job satisfaction, fair and equal treatment of benefits and work in a respectfully caring, safe and enlightening environment, enhanced with staff development policies and opportunities, which are all necessary and desirable requirements for nation building, broad based national development, democratic institutions and good governance.  This is the commitment we renew to our members and to the people of Guyana on our 86th Anniversary.