The GPSU says it is renewing its commitment given 87 years ago to remain steadfast and unremitting in its efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality.
In its anniversary message, the Union said as it reflects on the past decade it recognises that its main struggle was to maintain and sustain the gains won which it considers was due to a great sacrifice by earlier union members. It said too today the public service is beset by unacceptable trials: the failure to appoint the Public Service Appellate Tribunal as prescribed in the Constitution; the failure to adhere to the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at work: Conventions 87, 98, 151 which deal with Freedom of Association and the Protection of the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining, Labour Relations (Public Service), respectively failure to adhere to legally binding Collective Labour Agreements; the irregular displacement of traditional public servants by contract employees who are coerced not to join union.
The GPSU said too the arbitrary and unlawful changing of workers’ conditions of service and the imposition of wages and salaries outside of the framework of Collective Labour Agreement; the frustration and obstruction of trade union representation for public service employees transferred to semi-autonomous agencies; the reduction and elimination of benefits, gains and rights that were won through trade union negotiations; failure to treat workers fairly and to extend the rules of natural justice and due process to their cases; failure to adhere to non-discriminatory practices in the employment, promotion and appointment of personnel.
The Union said a glaring case is the refusal to appoint Genevieve Whyte-Nedd to the post of Chief Education Officer at the education ministry. It said these cases are all clear signs that the state’s affairs are flawed and the Union’s bargaining power is threatened.
Further, the GPSU said it remains committed to fight racism and all forms of discrimination. It also affirms its human rights principles which include recognising equality and respecting the dignity and self worth of all people; eliminating all forms of racism, sexism and discrimination, eradicating all forms of harassment, protecting the political, social, cultural and economic rights of indigenous peoples and defending the trade union and workers rights including those of contracted workers.
