The recent announcement by Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon that public servants would not be receiving a salary increase this year is not in conformity with any agreement with public sector unions, according to President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Patrick Yarde.His comments were contained in a letter sent to Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. The same correspondence was carbon copied to President Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister responsible for the Public Service Ministry, Dr Jennifer Westford; Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, Dr Nanda Gopaul; and to Dr Luncheon.The letter, dated December 15, 2008, stated that,NFL Jerseys Outlet, “The Guyana Public Service Union expresses its concern about the statement released by Dr Roger Luncheon…in relation to the non-remuneration of salary increases for public workers.“In his statement Dr Luncheon had declared that ‘public servants would not be receiving any year-end salary increases and retroactive payment for 2008, as they did in previous years.“The Cabinet Secretary had stated that ‘those payments had been negotiated with the unions and that the life of that agreement had ended’.”But, according to Yarde, the GPSU has had no such agreement with the Government. He noted that the union completely rejects the Government’s position as articulated by Dr Luncheon,Wholesale Stitched Jerseys, as well as his assertion that it is in conformity with an agreement with the public sector unions.According to Yarde,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys China, Parliament’s approval of levels of remuneration which are considered sufficient for the public workers to enjoy a reasonable existence is a gross misrepresentation of reality.“This has resulted in Guyana’s public servants being driven further into abject poverty, with an estimated 80 per cent of them existing below the poverty line.? The payment of increases in salary well below the rate of inflation has resulted in a decline in the purchasing power of the public workers…,” Yarde’s letter stated.It was noted, too, that the GPSU considers the state of affairs to be unsatisfactory, unconscionable, uncaring and unfair to public workers, and therefore it (the GPSU) demands that the matter be addressed, the letter stressed.“The GPSU demands that you (Dr Singh) address the short payment to public workers below the inflation rate,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, and rectify it as an interim measure while we continue with the Government of Guyana’s adherence to the process of collective bargaining, as provided by the International Labour Organization Convention Numbers 37, 98 and 151 as ratified by the Parliament of Guyana.”It was also recommended in the letter that Dr Singh propose a supplementary estimate to facilitate the payment of remuneration to public workers before the end of this year, in order to remedy short payments.Meanwhile, the GPSU, in a release issued yesterday, also expressed concern at the number of persons who are appointed to act in important public offices,NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale, such as the posts of Commissioner of Police, Chief Education Officer, and Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.The occupants of these posts have been acting in these positions for inordinately long periods; and in the considered opinion of the public and the union, are fully qualified to be appointed to the substantive positions.“The negative consequences of this state of affairs are well known.? It is difficult for persons in such positions to demonstrate the degree of independence and professionalism they are expected to exhibit in the execution of their public duties, and in their dealings with the public and those who have some say or influence over their career prospects.”According to the release, it is therefore understandable that there is a high degree of skepticism in the society that the Government is hesitant and reluctant to appoint persons of professional and independent status to a number of public offices.It was further noted that there is a tendency to favour those who are politically affiliated or sympathetic to the Government.“This cannot be in the interest of the public. It is contrary to the expectation which was associated with the establishment of independent commissions and boards charged with the appointment, promotion,Thurman Thomas Bills Jersey, discipline and transfer of such personnel,” the release added.As a result, the General Council of the Guyana Public Service Union, having ventilated the state of affairs, calls on the Government of Guyana to remedy the situation in the public interest as a matter of urgency; that