Time for public service workers to rise and demand living wage

-GPSU says as it celebrates 101st anniversary

The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is celebrating its 101st anniversary and is using the occasion to call on public servants to rise and demand a living wage.

In a statement on June 7th, the GPSU lamented the fact that it finds itself seeking justice for employees in systems that are increasingly being “weaponised and empowered” to erase the rights won by the previous generations of workers. “Many of our predecessors risked the safety and comfort of their families and even paid the ultimate price so that we, their children, can enjoy a more dignified existence.”

As such it noted that the onus is now on the current generation to uphold the principles of justice now enshrined in the Constitution, laws, as well as regulations and binding agreements. Further, union members must deal frontally with those who choose the “path of oppression” and in so doing complete the revolution started decades ago through tangibly enjoying those rights ascribed in writing. These include: 1) Check off agreements for union dues and agency fees; 2) secondment agreement of public servants to recognised trade unions/staff associations on a full-time basis without loss of service and promotion; and 3) the agreement for the avoidance and settlement of disputes, including wages, salaries and allowances.