Public Service wage negotiations begin today

The government and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) is expected to begin negotiations at 10am today, for the increase of wages and salaries for public servants for the year 2016.

This was announced by the GPSU on Tuesday which said it has received an invitation from the government to commence the long awaited negotiations.

The Union said it welcomes the move by the government but also wants allowances to be negotiated since those have not been raised in more than a decade.

GPSU is pushing for a 40% increase, however President of the union, Patrick Yarde, said he hopes the negotiations will not be just another show, as was done under the previous administration, when the union’s positions would be disregarded and an increase would be imposed.

In 2015, public servants were given an increase ranging from 5% to 26% depending on their salary scale.

However, during the presentation of the 2016 national budget, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan stated that “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.” This is in keeping with one of the administration’s promise during the  2015 General and Regional elections.

Under the previous government, the unions complained of being sidetracked when the administration announced its annual wage increase.

The negotiations were awaiting the completion of the Commission of Inquiry into the public service which was handed over to the government on May 13, 2016.

Leading government’s delegation will be Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Presidency, Reginald Brotherson.