I wish to begin by joining with our esteemed Chairman in extending a warm welcome to those of you here. I also wish to express our Union’s appreciation for your kind acceptance of our invitation to attend this event.
Comrades, today’s activity is intended to recognize and to celebrate what could only be deemed as a historic achievement of Trade Unionism in our country and beyond. Today, we proudly celebrate a century since the appearance of Trade Unions in Guyana. As we reflect on this, we cannot fail to recognize its significance for generations of workers or to recognize how far along that road we have come. It has been, undoubtedly, a period when many victories have been scored; it’s a time when workers and their allies stood-up to defend and advance militantly their rights and their overall interests; it’s an era chracterised by courageous and selfless struggles of workers to bring an end to their exploitation. The battles won and achievements scored allow us to face the future with optimism certain that our genuine and reasonable goals will be realized. Today also, we pay tribute and recognize the laudable contributions of those men and women who stood together with the workers holding aloft their banners and rendering valued advice and outstanding leadership in the fight for democracy, respect for workers rights and a better life.
It has long been recognized that ever since the working-class made its appearance on the world stage, it held a crucial, indispensible place in the post-feudal society. Its role has not diminished in the centuries that have since gone by. Their labour power continues to drive the locomotive of development, yet their travails persist; they still endure many deprivations. Exploitation has not yet come to an end.
As we know that trade unions emerged in the 18th Century in Europe to take on the challenges that the industrial revolution had occasioned in the lives of the working-class which it has spawned. At that time, the rapid expansion of industrial society drew women, children, rural workers and immigrants into the work force in large numbers and in new roles. It is recorded that Trade Unions, encountered much hostility, in their early existence, from employers and government groups. Unions and unionists were regularly persecuted and were placed under various restraints. And, although such non-friendly attitudes and persecutions are still with us, as was the case then, the coercive measures did not prevent the existence, gains and forward march of Trade Unions and their members. Indeed, despite imprisonment, deportation, victimisation and persecution, Unions proliferated, grew and became formidable entities. One generation succeeded another and we saw then continuous efforts, reflected in strikes, massive demonstrations, picketing, varying struggles in the causes of the working-people.
In the early 20th Century, our country, then British Guiana, suffered acutely under colonialism. The masses faced the harsh realities of poor wages, high taxes, unemployment and a cost-of-living that aggravated widespread poverty. Basic consumer goods for the workers and the poor which consisted of flour, oatmeal, corn, dried fish and rise were heavily taxed while the estates, foreign-owned, benefitted from reduced income taxes and export duties. The living conditions in Georgetown were described as deplorable, with many residents dwelling in shantytowns with inadequate potable water and little or no drainage and garbage disposal. Diseases were rampant and infant mortality rates were high; life expectancy was low.
It was against that backdrop of such painful realities that the Trade Union Movement sprung its formative roots and, over the years, grew to become a main workers pillar of our society. Renowned author, attorney-at-law and respected trade unionist, Ashton Chase in his well-known book A History of Trade Unionism in Guyana 1900 to 1964 recorded that “[o]ne of the earliest attempts was made early in 1910 among River Captains and Bowmen. These workers found it extremely difficult to get their wages from certain diamond, gold and balata companies… The Companies used them as ‘contractors,’ and were thereby able to escape their financial obligations.” The attempt, Cde Chase, pointed out did not succeed as “…no legislation existed at that time under which its founders could have had it so registered”.
The beginnings of the trade union movement can be traced to a strike by waterfront workers for increased wages in November and December 1905 in Georgetown, which was led by the indomitable Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. These workers faced opposition from the uncompromising shipping companies, and, the conflict between the shipping companies and the workers had deteriorated into rioting and bloodshed and was only eventually settled after the British troops had been summoned. It was Critchlow’s participation and role in this strike that gave him recognition as a workers leader. The failure of this 1905 strike clearly demonstrated to Critchlow that there was a pressing need for a trade union in the colony. The outbreak of the First World War in 1914 heightened the need for a trade union in the colony since the working classes were confronted with continuous increases in the cost of living and deterioration in their social and economic conditions. Consequently, there were many strikes and protests during the war years. During that period, the workers recorded a number of gains. Critchlow reaffirmed his role as the undisputed leader of workers, and particularly among waterfront workers. In fact, because of his initiative and proposals, Critchlow is credited as being the main force that was responsible for the gains achieved by workers in the January, 1917 and December, 1917 strikes.
He paid the high price for his continuous efforts to enhance the working conditions in the colony. He was fired from his work in March 1918, after he declined to withdraw an appeal to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce for an 8-hour working day. Unable to secure employment in Georgetown after his dismissal, Critchlow took the decision to dedicate all his energies to coordinating and organising workers. He established the first successful trade union in the colony in January 1919 – the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU). The employers saw the Union as a force aimed at fomenting industrial unrest, and issued threats to workers who were union members. Despite this, its membership grew rapidly and the Union gained many improvements. One of the most significant achievements was legal recognition for trade unions in June, 1921. This recognition was achieved with the support of the Colonial Office in London and the British Labour Party.
Importantly, one cannot ignore the fact that Critchlow’s outlook and many of his stances were grounded in socialist ideas. In the preface to the first and early rules of the BGLU, it was posited that workers will fight their battles both on political and ordinary trade union lines, and political parties with programmes in harmony with the trade union and working class should have the Union’s support. 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 to realize a collectivist State. More particularly, the Union undertook to press for the nationalization of land and public ownership of major economic enterprises.
It is fair to say that Critchlow envisaged the liquidation of colonialism in all its forms and saw 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 BGLU, the Union was instrumental in convening the first British Guiana and West Indies Labour Conference here in Guyana 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.
Today, much of what Critchlow, his colleagues and his successors together with the workers fought for in the years following 1919, have been realized. No longer are trade unions outlawed but now-a-days the right to belong to unions has been enshrined in our Constitution and there is now the Trade Union Recognition Act as part of our Statues. So has been the right to strike as well. Today, too, following calls from the days of the infancy of the trade union movement, the Guyanese working-class are protected by a contributory social protection scheme. Similarly, child labour has been outlawed and workers are protected by the enactment of a national minimum wage. Rights such as the payment of terminal benefits; to the setting of a retirement age; to the receipt of employer pensions have become gains that go to enhance the workers well-being and lift their living standards.
Today, increasingly, many workers regardless of their type of work are politically motivated and take part at various levels in national, regional and local elections. Universal suffrage was one of the foremost calls of the Movement and, undoubtedly, it is one of the most cherished of our democratic rights and part of our still fledging democratic culture. On this score, we cannot turn a blind eye to what appears to be brazen attempts to undermine that culture and disrespect our nation’s Constitution. It is a matter that evokes a great degree of discomfort and raises apprehensions these days and the implications of which must be of concern to workers and the Trade Union Movement. On this score, it would be remiss of the Movement, if this Conference does not call on our political leaders to abide fully with the CCJ’s recent ruling and agree on the date for National and Regional Elections as a matter of urgency.
While heartened by the several contributions of the movement to national life, we, feel constrained, at this time, to identify some existing negative features we confronting us. We, therefore, cannot help to reiterate what we said on May Day and point out that “for us, it is simply inexcusable that in the birthplace of Trade Unionism in the British Colonial Empire, there is no longer a Ministry of Labour. The Ministry which existed up to May, 2015 has now been relegated to a Department after more than sixty years of existence. It seems to us that the Government is vehemently opposed to a Labour Ministry as could be seen by its disagreement with an Opposition-sponsored motion to re-establish the Labour Ministry”.
Another vexing problem we are facing relates to Collective Bargaining which has received scant attention from the powers-that-be. We should not forget that in 2015, no lesser than then Presidential candidate, now President, David Granger undertook at the GTUC Rally that “…that unions can sit down with employers and restore collective bargaining…”. Today, that undertaking remains unfulfilled and workers’ rights are ignored in this regard. The Finance Minister in his 2019 Budget address did say “…the wages and salaries of public servants will be increased in 2019, after discussions with the respective unions”. But comrades, we heard this before, and to date such promises remain dashed and our law on Collective Bargaining continue to be disregarded. Could you imagine reading the newspapers and learning from the President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) that his union was unaware that negotiations were purportedly taking place between the GTU and the Government.
As a Trade Union Movement with a proud history of principled and consistent struggles on behalf of workers causes, we cannot be oblivious to the fact that we are on the threshold of major developments in the new oil and gas sector. We also recognize, that there is much uncertainty surrounding this sector and its impact on people’s lives and future. The situation cries out for attention from a vibrant Trade Union Movement that is committed to safeguarding our workers and peoples interests. In the face of such a challenge, we cannot shirk our responsibility. Our co-ordinated and united actions become indispensible.
Comrades, apart from the question that surround the oil and gas sector, the stark realities of our situation at the political, economic, social and infrastructural levels, also necessitate a reinvigorated movement. Many workers, organized or unorganized, now-a-days despair over life’s burdens and are anxious about the future that awaits them. Cost of living is steadily rising, costs for health-care and medicine and education are climbing; unemployment is rife increasing due to sugar estates and thriving enterprises being closed, unwarrantedly. There is general social deterioration and corruption and crime are at worrying levels. With these conditions which are our today’s realities, we hark back to the spirit and leadership displayed by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow over a hundred years ago and draw inspiration from him.
Our leaders, especially those at the helm of Trade Unions, we daresay must live up to the demands of today. We must face our challenges with confidence certain that victory is ours to attain. Let us together go forward to a better day, a democratic and just future.
A special salute to Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the father of Trade Unionism in Guyana. And, finally we say to you, we have completed the first 100 years and what do we expect that next 100 years to look like.
Long live the Trade Union Movement!
Thank you.
