GPSU to meet on wage ultimatum to gov’t

The executive of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is to meet today to discuss the next step in its fight to get the government back to the table to recommence salary and wages talks following the expiration of a one-month ultimatum the union issued in December.

The union on December 23 delivered a letter to Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Dr. Nanda K Gopaul in which it called on the government to abide by the existing wage agreements or it would take whatever action is necessary to secure the rights of public servants.

“We call upon the government to stop the imposition of unilateral annual wages and salary awards and to respect the collective bargaining process by negotiations on our proposals for increases in wages and salaries and allowances for 2010, 2011, and 2012.

“In this regard and in view of the fact that within our membership there are workers classified as being employed in essential services, the GPSU is giving one month’s notice that it would undertake any and all action regardless, to defend and secure the rights of its membership and workers in general to fair and equal treatment and respect for their lawful entitlements,” the letter stated. Unilateral wage payments have been by the government to GPSU members for several years now.

Speaking to Stabroek News on Thursday, GPSU President Patrick Yarde said there had been no developments since the letter was issued and the union was currently consulting with its membership. He added that the union was updating the members on the current situation and was receiving their feedback on how to proceed. The next move, he said, would be decided by the executive committee which is scheduled to meet today. Yarde added that the body will also be examining the 2011 national budget which he said was “undoubtedly not a working class budget.”

According to the GPSU president, he is “not impressed”  with the movement in the income tax threshold from $35,000 to $40,000 adding that what was needed was tax reform which lowered the tax rate and pushed the threshold further  coupled with an increase in salary relative to the times.

“So many people living in poverty still and no one seems to care,” he said. Yarde added that today’s meeting would be the first opportunity for the executive to look at the budget collectively and he hoped their review could be completed soon so they could make a comprehensive statement on the budget.

Copies of the letter to Dr. Gopaul were also sent to President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; the labour and public service ministers; the International Labour Organisation; Public Services International; the Private Sector Commission; and the Guyana Trades Union Congress.