After two decades of failure in leading one of the largest trade union bodies in Guyana, long-standing Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) President Patrick Yarde said he is willing to step down if the union members feel so.
He said too that despite the lack of support for recent protest actions, the GPSU is still capable of shutting down the country, but that this is a last resort.
Frustrated over government’s yearly salary increases, several union members who spoke with this newspaper said that it was time for Yarde, who has been at the helm of the union since in the early 1990s, to go.
“I am tired of it, they are not representing us, is sheer talks and no backing,” a nurse told Guyana Times International during one of the lackluster protests/marches the union held in the aftermath of the five per cent pay hike.
“I am tired too, I am very tired and disgusted… after sitting with the government and negotiating all these agreements, I am tired and angry,” Yarde said during an interview with Guyana Times International.
He said 2013 marked the 13th year since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government commenced its yearly increase in wages and salaries for public servants. Following last year’s increase, the union called for a week-long march through the streets of Georgetown, but this fizzled after the first day drew less than 100 marchers.
Questioned as to whether he has outlived his time at the GPSU and that it may be time for him to go, Yarde said at one time opposing influences had forced him to step down, but some members loyal to him had reportedly stepped in to give support.
“I have returned the last few years unopposed, and we are a very democratic union,” he said. However, GTI was told that a few years ago, Yarde changed the rules regarding retirement at the union level, making him eligible to continue as president.
One person, Karen Van Sluytman had openly challenged Yarde back in 2005 for the presidency, but she subsequently withdrew her nomination for the post over alleged discrepancies.
Representation
Yarde told GTI that despite opposing forces, the union continues to represent the concerns of its more than 5000 members in the public sector. “This is the first year that absolutely no negotiations took place, but I am shocked that it occurred with Donald Ramotar as president, because he was a trade unionist, he should know about struggle,” Yarde said.
Asked to comment on his failure to mobilise marchers for the one-week protest in Georgetown, Yarde said the Guyana Police Force should be blamed. He explained that the union received clearance from the police to conduct the first march late.
Nevertheless, he said the struggle is not over. “We will continue this industrial action, the matter is not over, it is not over, so if the government thinks it over, they are very mistaken, it is not over, we have started a process of consultation with our members and we will resume at an appropriate time, I am saying to you, this is not over,” he said.
Shutdown
Despite a poor turnout December last, the GPSU president strongly believes that the union still has the ability to shutdown the country, but said this should be the last resort, noting that it depends on government’s willingness to uphold the law and act in accordance with agreements signed.
