The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on September 24, 2009 submitted a proposal for a three year wage package for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. The Union has over the year’s exercised considerable restraint and patience following the submission of these documents and has tirelessly sent several pieces of correspondence to the Government requesting the resolution of these matters. This was important since non-resolution affected the wellbeing of public employees and their families. Additionally, this destroyed the enlightened environment, which modern laws, conventions, regulations and practices are designed to facilitate.

Over the years and as recent as October 20, 2011, the Union has been meeting with Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Permanent Secretary, Office of the President, with responsibility for the Public Service Ministry. While there was movement on some matters, the sore issue that continues to plague the negotiating parties are the finalizing of discussions on salaries, wages and allowances. It has become very clear that the negotiations for salaries, wages and allowances at the bilateral level have reached an impasse. Thus, the Union has and continues to reject the arbitrary imposition of salaries and wages increases that has become so characteristic of the present administration.

GPSU wrote His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo on October 31, 2011 to request his intervention into these urgent matters and also to register its displeasure and dissatisfaction with the way in which his administration continues to negotiate in bad faith, showing scant regard for collective bargaining agreements.

The Union views the President’s latest decision of an 8% increase to salaries and wages as a response to our letter to his office dated October 31, 2011. Hence, the Executive Council held a special meeting on November 12, 2011 to discuss the continued arbitrary imposition of increases to salaries and wages, with the result that correspondence was sent to Dr. Nanda Gopaul expressing the displeasure with the arbitrary imposition of the 8% increase for 2011. The Union also made it clear that it rejects this as the final position on the matter.

As a result, the Union is now pursuing conciliation through the Ministry of Labour and letters to this effect were sent on November 14, 2011 to Dr. Nanda Gopaul and Chief Labour Officer Mr. Yoganand Persaud, with copies to His Excellency the President, Hon. Minister Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Labour and Hon. Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Public Service.