More solidarity is needed now, not just the song on May Day

Dear Editor,

Those of us in Guyana’s Labour Movement who fashioned the joint FITUG/TUC Labour Day Rally on May 1, 2016 were generally heartened by the number of worker-related issues on which we found common grounds to address in the presence of the Nation’s Prime Minister.

It was intended that high-profiled national workers’ event besides attracting continual media headlines, would galvanise our two representational bodies to continue dialogue towards practical mechanisms for joint approaches to Government and to all employers concerning our members’ welfare.

Up front, NAACIE advises trade union leaders in the context of the one-year coalition Administration, which has opted not to have a full-fledged labour ministry to “sleep with your members, not with Government leaders”.

It is one thing for “popular” labour leaders to debate national issues regarding the Constitution and the politics of the land, but that intellectual/analytical ability to debate must be put to the service of union membership. What ideas or proposal for structured joint representations have we advanced lately?

Why can’t we mobilise representation, concerning the woes of the sugar industry? For example, if sugar goes under at this time without sound futuristic plans, the economy takes a further battering to the demise of all of us. The real role of all trade unions is representation no matter who is the employer/company or Government.

More solidarity is needed now. Not just the song on May Day.

There should be also joint TUC/FITUG sessions, workshops and seminars to discuss practical approaches to regional and international trade union bodies, to explore how the new communication technologies can serve the labour movement and to formulate strategies, joint approaches to have the administration listen to our united voice on such issues as preparation for oil revenues, constitutional reform and/or crime reduction. Are those challenges and needs beyond our abilities?

If we add up the scores of years of experience at dialogue and negotiations?

This Twenty First Century reality indicates new industries demanding new skills from workers inclusive of non-management employees.

But all those graduates from tertiary institutions with their degrees, diplomas, certificates must be influenced and persuaded to become organised at their workplaces to really enjoy the fruits of their qualifications. What are we unionists doing about that?

NAACIE urges a more united approach to issues such as those cited above. NAACIE is willing to initiate movement in this direction. We can’t wait for another Government. This “newness” demands a new or renewed militancy. Our political, cultural and religious affiliations are personal. Our member’s working class welfare is national.

Let the trade unions leaders ensure that “workers of Guyana unite”.

Kenneth Joseph – AA,

General Secretary,

NAACIE