Almost one month after Finance Minister Winston Jordan announced that Government would await the completion of collective bargaining before announcing an increase in wages and salaries for public servants, the Guyana Public Service Union is still to update the public on the process.
This is in spite of numerous attempts by this newspaper to have either Patrick Yarde or another member of the union executive explain to the public the union’s opinion of the government’s position or explain what it has requested on behalf of its membership.
When Stabroek News spoke with First Vice President Mortimer Livan on Monday, he explained that the union was awaiting passage of the budget before they approached the government to continue negotiations. He would not share what terms the union were requesting.
The budget has since been passed yet the union has not responded and attempts to reach Yarde and Livan have proved futile.
During his 2016 Budget presentation Minister Jordan told the house that “an announcement on salary increases for public servants for 2016 has to await the conclusion of discussions with the relevant unions. The Government understands the disappointment this will create among public servants, but wishes to assure them of our commitment to their welfare and advancement. We ask that they give the collective bargaining process an opportunity to work.”
It is also expected that the report of the commission of inquiry launched into the public service will influence these negotiations.
The CoI headed by professor Harold Lutchman was set up by President David Granger to inquire into, report on, and make recommendations on the role, functions, recruitment process, remuneration and conditions of service for public servants.
