Public service wage talks heading for deadlock
-GPSU President
Stabroek News
October 16, 2002
GPSU President Partick Yarde says a deadlock looks likely in talks with the government, which is offering a pay increase of 3% for public servants.
The government presented its case for the 3% increase when talks resumed yesterday with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) at the Ministry of Labour.
But this offer has been rejected by the union which in turn has promised to make a definitive statement on the issue by next week.
This was communicated to Stabroek News yesterday by Yarde who said he would shortly call a meeting of the union’s general council to solicit the views of its members on the government’s offer.
The GPSU has asked for a minimum wage of $33,000 - an increase of 64%.
But Yarde said the sides seem to be heading towards a deadlock with the government firmly insisting that it can only afford 3%.
In respect of certain allowances, which it was said the union submitted proposals for in 2000, the preparedness of the government to address these measures is being questioned.
According to Yarde, the sides will meet again on Friday at which time the government is expected to make a presentation on the issue of allowances.
He however expressed concern at the pace of talks and said the 3% offer was not in the best interest of public servants.
Government, according to the GPSU head, had not countered the proposal made by the union but rather is basing its argument on its ability to pay.
He said the union has a serious problem with this, since the government seems to be neglecting the fact that the present wages are inadequate to sustain an acceptable livelihood.
According to Yarde, government negotiators are contending that the 1999 Armstrong Arbitration Award disrupted the economy leading to the present offer.