GPSU to hold elections on April 27

PRESS RELEASE

Guyana Public Service Union, Tuesday, April 25, 2017- The Injunction that was granted to prevent the Guyana Public Service Union from proceeding with elections for Office Bearers for the Executive Council by the Honourable Mr. Justice Nareshwar Harnanan on Thursday 20th April, 2017 in an application by Mr. Gregory Gaspar of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission has been discharged today Tuesday 25th April, 2017. Mr. Gaspar was represented by Attorney at Law Mr. Nigel Hughes.

The Judge after hearing submissions by the Union’s Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Roysdale Forde and relying on evidence adduced by the Union which revealed that the allegations by Mr. Gaspar of the Union’s non-compliance with the Union’s rules and its obligations under the Trade Union’s Act were erroneous and misconceived.

The Union’s Attorney-at-Law’s submissions included evidence that Annual Returns to the Registrar of Trade Unions which had Income and Expenditure Statements and Balance Sheets for the entire period up to 31st December 2016. Also presented was a statement from the Auditor General confirming that the Audit of the Union’s accounts up to 2005 and that Income and Expenditure Statements and Balance Sheets up to 31st December 2016 were in his possession.

Both Mr. Gregory Gaspar and his instigator Mr. Jermain Hermanstyne were fully aware of these facts but deliberately set out to publicly misrepresent them for personal and petty reasons. They also advocated that their backward views should supersede rights of members in accordance with the rules of the Union. Investigations would reveal that both Mr. Gasper and Mr. Hermanstyne were amongst the poorest performers and achievers as members in the Guyana Public Service Union.

The Elections Officer has been advised that the Union is now free to proceed with the Elections. The Elections Officer and supporting personnel are working assiduously to hold the Elections on Thursday 27th April, 2017. The General Secretary has issued a Circular calling on all members that notwithstanding the obvious inconvenience caused to make every effort to discharge their civic responsibilities towards the Union and meaningfully participate in the upcoming Elections.