Dear Editor,
The Guyana Public Service Union, rather than being critical should applaud the Government for providing a bonus of two weeks’ pay to health care workers, The union should be aware that a bonus is a non-negotiated payment based on management discretion unless it is stipulated as a condition in an employer’s manual, a contract of employment or within a union agreement. In the absence of either there is no need to consult a union prior to any implementation, which, by implication will set a precedent for future negotiations thus eroding the rights of an employer to make a unilateral decision in favour of their employees.
Giving a bonus obviously is a boost to employees’ morale, understandable in the current circumstances given the tireless efforts by the health care workers to contain this pandemic. However, it should be made very clear to the workers that it is a one-off payment at the discretion of the government and has nothing to do with the GPSU since there is nothing in their agreement that stipulates it is negotiable. A strike or protest for such a cause not provided for in the Collective Labour Agreement or as a condition of employment can be considered as a breach of contract that can result in disciplinary action.
So, health care workers, please do not be misled by the union whose intentions are suspect, and place your employment in jeopardy.
Yours faithfully,
D. Sookdeo
