The GPSU has completed an internal survey which has culminated in an Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building plan aimed at dealing with deficiencies within the union and enhancing its capacity to represent members.
The plan was the topic of discussion at a Labour Management Meeting which included a number of representatives from government, the employer, and a number of other unions representing the different sectors of employment. The survey was conducted with assistance from the Canadian government, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) said, adding that it aims to contribute to national development. The Governance Network (TGN) a Canadian Consultancy Firm whose consultants are proficient and experienced in the operations of public services management and organization techniques conducted a series of interviews and workshop session with GPSU members countrywide which informed the plan.
Speaking with reporters following a break at the meeting on Friday last, consultant Dr Jim Armstrong said the feedback from members was positive and all voted in support of the plan, which will form new policy for the union. As regards more topical issues members raised, Armstrong said they wanted the union to be cohesive and represent them and also wanted what they perceived as ‘racial differences’ in employment to be dealt with. Unfair treatment, worker harassment and some suggestions of sexual harassment he said, were also raised during discussions.
Quizzed on whether the plan deals with areas to strengthen relations between government and the union, Armstrong said this would come under Labour Management relations, which it addresses. He said it was important that the two groups find issues to work on rather that only getting together to look at problems of the past.
“They have to deal with where they want to go in a positive sense,” he said. As part of the consultancy a detailed assessment of training needs within the public service was also done and according to Armstrong the need for literacy and computer literacy training is an area that needs attention.
As regards funding for implementing the plan, Armstrong pointed out that in the short term the union could probably look to different sources including international organizations. In terms of the latter however, he posited that they may look to fund areas where effect could be felt throughout the country. He emphasized that the GPSU’s regional arms has weakened over the years and that this is yet another area where much work is needed. Armstrong said this is important because in many instances issues take a while before they meet to Georgetown when they could be handled at the point of origin if the regional branches were stronger.
During the formal sessions, GPSU President Patrick Yarde told the gathering that in 2004 the Executive Council had taken a decision to pursue support and funding to conduct the Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building exercise. He said this had emerged from the recognition that the union needed to review its systems and operations, policies and programmes, the way it operates and its effectiveness, in a very comprehensive manner.
He said too that the GPSU recognized that the exercise had become urgent based on issues that had arisen within the ranks of the membership during its engagements to analyse the government’s Public Service Modernisation Project, which was taking place at the time.
“It was apparent that deficiencies existed not only within the public service but also within our organization and that they needed to be corrected. It was felt that such an exercise should not be confined to the constitutional forums of the union and should engage a wide cross section of the general membership in a meaningful way,” he said.
A project proposal was submitted to the Canadian government through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for funding. Head of Aid at CIDA Mark Mostovac said the assistance to the GPSU comes under the Democratic Governance assistance in its new Caribbean Programme. He pointed out that in labour relations it is important that common ground is identified for constructive dialogue. Mostovac said too that development in the private sector cannot take place unless there is improvement in the service delivery to the public.
Mutual respect
Meanwhile at a press conference on Saturday, the GPSU shone some more light on its plan.
Union executive Mortimer Livan told reporters that from the workshops and sessions held, members’ views were clear and unequivocal that they want mutual respect and collaboration between GPSU and government.
“Even though current points of contention between the GPSU and GOG were mentioned, members were focused on GPSU as an institution and what was needed to strengthen it,” Livan said.
According to him, members were equally united on the action plan which was based on building the membership, strengthening branches and education and training for representatives and branch members.
He said that members view the union as representing members across the racial divide, hence a comprehensive race relations plan is to be advocated. He added that members felt that in this regard the union could set a national example for racial inclusiveness, thus helping to set the national agenda.
Members, he said, also recommended that the union should undertake a long-term public awareness programme on the issue of race relations and ensure that internal practices confirm to this policy.
Undertaking an enhanced recruitment of a diverse body of public servants as well as strengthening the different committees of the union was also recommended by membership.
Livan also said that youth involvement was recognized as a very important issue and added that many of the members were of the view that low pay and the apparent low prestige of the public service would serve as a deterrent to young people joining the public service.
As such members proposed the strengthening of the union’s youth arm as well as developing a database concerning youth employment among other as means to garner more youth involvement.
