Chief Labour Officer (CLO) Dhaneshwar Deonarine yesterday presided over a conciliation meeting between the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
According to a short note posted to the Ministry of Labour’s Facebook page, the engagement comprised the GPSU President Patrick Yarde and First Vice President (FVP) Dawn Gardener, along with the union’s Executive Assistant Indira Thakurdin and Owen John. The GPHC was represented by Jermain Hermanstein and Oddesa Wickham.
On February 22, the GPSU issued an ultimatum to the government to meet at the bargaining table or face industrial action in response to the government’s breach of legal guiding instruments.
In their ultimatum, the GPSU highlighted their reliance on international labour conventions and expressed frustration with the government’s reluctance to engage in collective bargaining. The labour ministry was also criticized for its inaction and delay in responding to the GPSU’s requests for conciliation.
Furthermore, the GPSU declared a loss of confidence in the CLO and proceeded to issue the ultimatum following discussions at its executive council meeting. Yesterday’s meeting was held at the labour ministry’s boardroom.
