The WPA was established in 1974, as an alliance of the Working People's Vanguard Party, the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA), the Indian Political Revolutionary Associates and Ratoon,[4] and became a political party in 1979.
In the 2001 elections, the WPA allied with the Guyana Action Party, receiving 2.4% of the vote and two seats.
The party did not contest the 2006 elections, although one of its members ran as part of the Alliance for Change.
Prior to the 2015 elections, the APNU formed a joint electoral list with the Alliance for Change.
The combined list won 33 seats, allowing APNU leader David A. Granger to become President.