Protest over 5% pay hike called off again

Another march organised by the Guyana Public Service Union was yesterday called off and First Vice President Mortimer Livan said this was due to the late response of the police in granting permission.

Livan said that the union is expected to meet its members to decide the next move, but that the next protest action will be next year.

Protest actions planned for Monday and Tuesday were also called off as the union was unable to mobilise its members in a timely manner.

Last Friday, roughly 70 public servants took to the streets to protest against the 5% increase that was arbitrarily instituted by government. GPSU President Patrick Yarde had berated the government for not acting in the best interest of the workers.

In recent weeks there have been scattered protests by public servants at the public hospital in the city and other facilities. The government has not shown any sign so far of a compromise with the union over the 5% payout.