…but workers urged to continue the fight for their rights
Wendella Davidson
LABOUR DAY in Guyana, and for some other countries, is traditionally celebrated, in May, yearly.
The commemorative event has its genesis in the struggle of workers in Chicago, in the United States, for improved working conditions, when, on May 4, 1886, a number of those workers were shot and killed, while exercising their right to demand just reward for their labour.
Here, in Guyana, workers who are represented by various unions look forward to the day when they wear red and white, colours that symbolise the struggle of the workers (before them) who fought valiantly to gain the rights and freedom for which they march. To usher in Labour Week, there is usually a wreath-laying ceremony organised by the umbrella body, the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), to which the various unions are affiliated, at the bust of the late Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, known as the father of trade unionism. The bust is sited in the compound of Parliament Buildings, Brickdam.
It was Critchlow who formed the first labour union in Guyana -the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU)- in 1917, when he mobilised workers from the waterfront. Ever since the formation of the BGLU, members have become a significant segment of the Guyanese working class, and, subsequently grew in numbers and are a force with which to reckon.
Among some of the trade unions in Guyana are the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Guyana’s largest labour union; Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers’ Union; Guyana Bauxite and General Workers’ Union; Guyana Teachers’ Union and the Guyana Workers Union (GWU) and the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU).
Labour Day 2020, however, will be recorded, in Guyana’s history books, as the year when the pomp and ceremony normally associated with the day was absent. Apart from a scaled-down wreath-laying that was held, there was no procession of workers marching under the respective banners of their unions.
President of the GTUC, Correta McDonald, during an interview with Gordon Moseley Friday morning, urged persons to honk the horns of their vehicles at 10:00hrs, in celebration and solidarity with the nation’s workforce and their continued struggle.
The cancellation is as a result of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that has been creating havoc worldwide, claiming over a million lives and the need to adhere to guidelines placed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and to a wider extent, the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Over the years, Parade Ground on Middle Street was the known assembly and starting point for the Labour Day procession, with members of unions starting to congregate from as early as 06:00 hrs. By 08:00hrs, the scheduled move off time for the procession, the area would be a sea of red, white and black with thousands of workers, marching under their respective banners. While some braved the sporadic downpour of rain which is said to be a norm, others used umbrellas. The sun was known to come out in its blistering glory, before the entire activity ended.
During the march, many workers would display placards depicting messages, some witty, in an effort to air matters of concern to the working class. The messages that ranged from calls for a better living wage for employees, increase in the income tax threshold and even advice as it related to dealing with criminal activities, were a way of communicating with the relevant authorities.
In years gone by, a prominent figure, at the Parade Ground before the parade got underway, was the late Kenneth Denny, then the Organising Secretary of the GTUC. He is remembered for doing quite an admirable job.
Had the parade been held yesterday, it would have been interesting to see what the messages would have depicted, taking into consideration the ongoing issues in relation to the 2020 General and regional Elections and the coronavirus epidemic.
Previously, as the procession wended its way through several city streets, enroute to the National Park, the marchers could be seen gyrating and prancing to popular music provided by huge boom, boom boxes that were mounted on trucks and trailers. It was also customary to see many members of the public, some with children in tow, at various street corners, hoping to catch a glimpse of the “colourful’ parade.
And, as the procession neared the National Park, it was customary for the music to change to that of the unions’ theme song `Solidarity Forever’ or patriotic songs. Once inside the park and seated, the unions’ theme song was again sung by all in attendance and workers were addressed by the top brass of the GTUC and other union leaders.
Following the rally, workers would then leave for their respective union headquarters to be entertained with music, food and drink until late in the afternoon.
In 1988, there was a split when seven unions, among them GAWU and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), distanced themselves from the TUC. They formed the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and operated independently from the TUC.
The seven unions continued to participate in Labour Day marches but held separate rallies. GTUC held their rally in the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) Woolford Avenue compound, while the FITUG had theirs at the National Insurance Service (NIS) Sports Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
And, despite mediation efforts by distinguished Caribbean union leaders, Sir Roy Trotman who was the General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and Guyanese George Depeana, a former General Secretary of the CCWU and former General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour, there was no reprieve.
However, in 2016, after over 25 years, the unions again held a joint rally, much to the appreciation of their membership. In addition to Denny, who was mentioned earlier, other union stalwarts who had etched their names on the trade union arena, during the early era, and before departing this life, were George Daniels of the GPSU, Gordon Todd of the CCWU, and Komal Chand of the GAWU.
Chand passed away this year, after a period of illness.
Source: https://issuu.com/guyanachroniclee-paper/docs/guyana_chronicle_epaper_02_05_2020_d288f666a15012