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The trade union movement faces many challenges. We have challenges of an external nature as well as challenges of an internal nature. Externally, we face the challenge of operating in a political environment that is unfriendly to a section of the labour movement. A political environment that seeks to bring some of us on our knees with no care or concern for rights, the rule of law and good governance.
The government is setting themselves up as a law unto themselves.
Workers continue to grieve for their fellow comrades who under the government are being their rights, inducing socio-economic pains and dislocation. We particularly remember the workers of the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc (BCGI), who as of today have the longest unresolved industrial struggle in the history of post independent Guyana. Mind you, the bauxite workers of BCGI are the only workers who have had the same unresolved dispute under successive governments.
What started under Bharrat Jagdeo, remained unresolved under Donald Ramotar, though compulsory arbitration was imposed the government failed to act on same, and under David Granger, the struggle of the Union was able to see RUSAL coming to the table but rather than granting the workers justice the company closed sections of their operations. BCGI- owned by the Government of Guyana and RUSAL- is still operating and therefore is accountable to the workers who are still on the alert and have not given up their more than a decade struggle. To be exact this battle started in December 2009.
There are letters lying on Minister Joseph Hamilton and the Chief Labour Officer’s desks to bring resolution to outstanding grievances, including the incorrect calculations of termination benefits but their inactions on these matters validate that they are comfortable obstructing justice for bauxite workers.
David Granger had an opportunity to demonstrate he was a man prepared to see justice served but he dilly and dally until when it was close to election before his ministers reached out to address this injustice. All members of the society must be their brothers and sisters’ keeper and raise their voice in unison against this injustice. There should be nothing that divides the people of Guyana when it comes to justice and fair play, standing in the face of external threat, supported by internal forces. We must be each other’s keeper. Today it is bauxite, tomorrow it may be oil.
Whereas it is clear only the sugar can guarantee instant and favourable resolution of their industrial disputes, bauxite workers, teachers, nurses and public servants are not guaranteed the same treatment. How can we, as a nation under one law, accept and be silent on such blatant discriminatory practices and policies. some are more equal than some.
As efforts are being made to strangulate unions independent of the PPP, no efforts are being spared to ensure the economic sustenance of unions favourable to the PPP, including, but not limited to, finding work for sugar workers even when the factory is down. We do envy our brothers and sisters in GuySuCo, but at the same time it is fair to say, where is the brotherhood and sisterhood of the labour movement that should not be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency?
Unions, independent of the PPP (e.g., GB&GWU), who have won recognition for new bargaining units are facing a situation at the TURB where fellow trade unionists, sitting on this Board, are joining with others on the Board to termination recognition though they have no power to do so under the Trade Union Recognition Act.
The government has not returned the check-off system to the public service unions. They continue to undermine the very foundation of trade union economic sustenance by denying some workers the right to join a union of choice and benefit from collective bargaining. As they do in the wider society –pitting one group against the other- they have done in the labour movement, successfully dividing us and only seeking unity when they are out of government, in the belief that they will use those affiliated to the Guyana Trades Union Congress and independent trade union to fight and support their battles and closeted political agenda.
But we know them. We know them. Don’t let them believe they can fool us or use us unless our interests converge. For whilst they bury conscience to the master they serve, and some will sell their souls to the devil, we on this side of the border remain bound by universal principles and workers’ rights. A threat to any work in the 83,000 square miles of Guyana we will perceive as a threat to all workers. And we, the guardians of the legacy of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Joseph Pollydore, Jane Phillips-Gay, Ayube Edun and others must stand steadfast to ensure and support the struggles of labour, where and when necessary as we see fit.
