Friday, November 25 is Election Day for members of the Public Services Association (PSA) and although 11 of the 13 candidates are unopposed, incumbent president Jennifer Baptiste-Primus is being challenged by Patrick Rousseau.

Rousseau, a personnel and industrial relations officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, has served the PSA in various capacities, including deputy secretary and treasurer.

The position of first vice-president will also see a contest between incumbent Stephen Thomas and Gerard Guisseppi.

The association’s elections seems to have all the trappings of a general or Local Government election: Baptiste-Primus’ team, the Reformers, which has led the PSA for eight years, published a manifesto outlining its policies.

The manifesto also lists “key achievements”, which included increases in allowances, and the completion of negotiations for the period 2002 to 2004, resulting in a 15 per cent increase in salaries.

In a “personal letter” from Baptiste-Primus published in the manifesto, she told members that she had intended to step down as president, but was persuaded not to do so due to “many challenges” and “issues yet to be resolved”.

Baptiste-Primus also advised the membership that it is unwise to change horses in mid-stream and urged them to vote for continuity, and a proven track record.