I bring you greetings from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). For us in the trade union movement, indeed for all Guyanese, Hubert Nathaniel Crtichlow is an exemplary Guyanese whose work and legacy has done our nation proud while being a continuing inspiration to the Guyanese working-class particularly.
Critchlow came to wide public prominence in this country during the 1905 waterfront strikes and riot and a similar strike in 1906 followed by strikes in the sugar industry. These strikes were for improvements in wages and conditions of toil. But his most remarkable struggle in that era prior to the formation of the British Guiana Labour Union and which was eventually victorious was that to secure the eight (8) hour working-day for his colleagues. The ruling hierarchy gave the three (3) signatories to that request three (3) days to withdraw it. Two did, but the third – Critchlow – convinced that this was a basic right of the workers refused to withdraw. He was promptly sacked from his employment with Bookers and could not obtain employment elsewhere since the arm of Booker, which then virtually owned British Guiana, was like the long arm of the law.
Undaunted by this reverse, Critchlow lost no time in mobilizing support for his campaign. It was perhaps a blessing in disguise since he thereafter devoted his energies towards the establishment of an organized body to fight for this demand. Later, following a demonstration to Government House, the British Guiana Labour Union was founded primarily at his instance on January 11, 1919. It became the first registered Trade Union in the British Colonial Empire on January 11, 1922. His efforts won for waterfront and other workers the eight (8) hour working-day.
Critchlow’s struggles and those of the first trade union established here were not confined merely to wages and shorter hours of work. They embrace a much wider field. Among the matters agitated for were the right to vote in national elections, better education for the offspring of the masses, improved health services, rent restriction, alleviation from the exploitation of the Sugar Producers, better housing, campaigns against unemployment, demands for old aged pensions, the ending of racial discrimination, and the furtherance of the rights of women.
In this connection, Critchlow was branded a socialist by the authorities. On his return from Socialist Russia which he visited in 1932 he was viciously attacked by the local press and breaded a red, a communist and a Boleshevik. There can be little that that he was impressed and inspired by what he saw in Russia, based on the glowing accounts of what he disclosed including the translation of the State power to the workers and their struggles to build socialism. One of the newspapers said: “We are very interested in the account Mr Critchlow brought back to the West Indies of his activities in the Soviet Union. We believe all he said of his experiences and wish to assure him that if and when it suits him we will accommodate him in a cell”.
Critchlow was undeterred by these objections. His struggles and his course of conduct were formulated by his practical grounding in socialist ideas. In the preface to the first and early rules of the British Guiana Labour Union, it is posited that workers will fight their battles both on political and ordinary trade union lines, and recognition that separate political parties with programmes in harmony with the trade union and working class should have the support of the former. The preface noted that apart from the Union prosecuting the essential characteristics of seeking to adjust wages, working hours and other conditions of work; it will help on the realization of a collectivist State. More particularly, the Union undertook to press for the nationalization of land and public ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange.
These things could not be there if Critchlow did not subscribe to them and if he was not inspired by them. His vision was formulated by them, and he intended to pass them on to his successors. He wanted a united workforce and that the status of workers whose labour power was exploited should be the cement to forge unity among all who belonged to that class regardless of origins. He was nicknamed “Black Crosby” after a famous Immigration Agent General here because of his robust stand for indentured workers who hailed from India.
It is fair to say that Critchlow envisaged the liquidation of colonialism in all its forms and the collective role that the Regional Trade Union Movement could play in this regard. It is most significant that seven (7) years after the formation of the British Guiana Labour Union that the Union was instrumental in convening the first British Guiana and West Indies Labour Conference here at the Public Buildings from January 11 to 14, 1926.
To recall some of the matters dealt with at that Conference will give a pointer to the vision of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. They included:- the passage of a resolution for the formation of a Labour Federation between Guianese and West Indians to be called the “The Guianese and West Indian Federation of Trade Unions and Labour Parties”; a Federation of our respective territories; compulsory education throughout the West Indies; an urging on the respective Governments to introduce Workmen’s Compensation; a standard eight (8) hour working-day; the abolition of child labour, minimum wages, non-contributory old aged pensions and National Health Insurances; prison reform; peremptory challenge to jury, and the abolition of the special jury, and universal adult suffrage.
It ought to be remembered that Critchlow and the British Guiana Labour Union were among the founders of the first Trades Union Council established here. It was registered on April 11, 1941, and what is very remarkable are the objects of this body at that time and for many years thereafter until the intervention of the British Labour Officers who then headed our Department of Labour. The examination of the rules of that body will show that apart from the formal objectives such as promoting the specific industrial relations interests of its affiliated organisations, that the Trades Union Council has the following among its objects:- the public ownership and control of natural resources and services; the nationalization of mines and minerals; the nationalization of public utility services, and proper provision for adequate participation of workers in the control and the management of public services and industries. Its policy was for educational facilities to be provided by the State from elementary schools to the universities. It also endorsed National Health and Pension Insurance Schemes.
Critchlow’s victories were many. But intermingled with victories were defeats and disappointments. The crucial factor is that the latter did not cow him or break his spirit and resolute determination. He pressed on so that in the end his victories outstripped his reverses. That the movement itself grew from strength to strength and still survives today is in itself an outstanding victory. So greatly have terms and condition of work of the working class improved from his entrance into the movement to when he department, that it can truly be said that he left an outstanding legacy and a lasting imprint in his field of endeavour. They are and will remain an inspiration to those who followed him and who are now in the Movement.
As to the individual himself, he was able to live down the attempt to besmirch his character. There was the unjustified circulation of “he sell we” – the phrase by which some detractors vainly sought to tarnish him. It is human to err and he may have made minor errors on his way to glory, but the stark fact remains that he never demeaned or disgraced himself by falling prey to any inducements. His character, on this score, remains unblemished. He was a man of high integrity.
In 1943, it was a significant personal victory as well as one for the Movement he led when he and Ayube Edun, the then head of the Manpower Citizens’ Association (MPCA) were appointed by the Colonial Administration to the Legislative Council of British Guiana. The following year, he was appointed a member of the Executive Council – the highest local organ of the Government of that day. He served Labour creditably and well in these positions.
The period during which labour had specific representation in the legislature is marked by the introduction and passing of a number of laws from which workers were the principal beneficiaries. Among these were Factory Legislation and more particularly Regulations thereto touching the health and safety of factory workers; amendments to the Trade Union Ordinance, inter alai, touching the position of Trustees and tortuous actions against trade unions; a significant number of Regulations under the Labour Ordinance encompassing a wide range of poorly organized workers; for whom were prescribed minimum wages and standard hours of work; the Employment Ordinance; the Bakeries (Hours of Work) Ordinance effectively ending night work in bakeries save for Friday nights, and Regulation initiating steps towards the humane treatment of Watchmen and Security Guards whose working-conditions today practically equate with Factory Workers. Critchlow’s influence in the Executive Council was a major contributing factor to these and other advances and gains made by the workers during his appointment there.
True when the long Parliament (1935-47) ended he sought and did win a seat at elections to the Legislative Council; but he was denied that seat following an elections petition in the Courts. The latter notwithstanding, we strongly feel it was a personal victory for Critchlow and his Movement when in the early 1960’s, the PPP Government caused to be erect in this Parliament compound a life-sized statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.
Critchlow totally deserves these recognitions showered on him, not only for his pioneering role in the field of trade unionism here and for his sacrifices – but also to honour him for his struggles, his victories and his vision.
