By Samuel Gillis
Tensions ran high at the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union (GPSCCU) as current and past leaders engaged in a heated dispute over the legitimacy of recent elections, sparking chaos in the boardroom.
The controversy arose following elections held on Saturday, with newly elected members seeking to convene and elect individuals for the new Executive Committee.
However, the outgoing management committee vehemently protested the meeting, alleging irregularities in the election process.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has been briefed on the matter and has pledged to investigate further, underscoring the importance of protecting the union’s members amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Patrick Mentore, vice-chairman of the newly elected committee, condemned the disruptive behavior of the outgoing committee members.
He highlighted instances of personal assault, disorderly conduct, and the obstruction of members from conducting business during the meeting.
Mentore emphasized the impact on members, citing the case of an individual from Mabaruma who traveled to attend the meeting, only to be turned away, causing further inconvenience.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-law Christopher Thompson, who represented the members in previous court cases from 2020 to 2023, expressed grave concern over the situation.
He labeled the actions as a blatant disregard for court orders and warned that the matter could potentially escalate into another legal battle.
The clash underscores the deep divisions within the GPSCCU leadership and raises questions about the union’s governance and stability moving forward.
As tensions escalate, the union’s members are left in limbo, awaiting resolution to the ongoing dispute.