Mr Earl Hamilton has once again decided to set his sights on GAWU and on this occasion the NAACIE as well, as he seeks to criticize the sugar unions for their principled expressions during a recent meeting with the GuySuCo. Mr Hamilton’s views, we saw, were expressed in a facsimile letter appearing in the November 03 and 04 editions of the Guyana Chronicle. The publication of the same letter twice befuddles us. Maybe it is the newspaper isn’t having enough propaganda to fill its pages and, therefore, has to re-print certain pieces. But that’s an entirely different question.
The letter-writer begins his missive charging that the GAWU and the NAACIE are not unaware of what he deems the “…proper protocols that guide engagements…” between the Unions and the GuySuCo. It was with that knowledge in mind and at heart, that both Unions jointly considered their actions and recognized that their actions were just and fair. The GAWU and NAACIE were not disrespectful, boisterous or disruptive. At no time, did the Unions lend to a situation that saw the heightening of tensions, though same cannot be said for the behaviour of GuySuCo.
Both the GAWU and the NAACIE’s long association with the industry have seen over the years the establishment and the evolution of principles, practices and norms that would guide a respectful working relationship. Those facets, we have recognized, have, over the last few days, been pushed aside and an attitude of ‘might is right’ has taken over the GuySuCo. Certainly, while Mr Hamilton seeks to be critical of the Unions actions, he has not uttered even a word regarding the treatment of the workers and their organizations. Given his concern on this occasion, we expect, naturally, to see him speaking up when injustice is meted out to workers and their organizations.
Mr Hamilton contends that the expressions of our Unions would apparently undermine the “…understanding of goodwill and mutual respect…” between the parties. We are waiting to see how this is the case. Certainly, there hardly hasn’t been any goodwill towards the nation’s sugar workers who, we must remind again, have been without any rise in pay since the APNU+AFC took office, or have had other long-standing conditions of work ignored, or have been treated in the worse of ways in the now 43 years of state-ownership of the industry. Even former President Forbes Burnham had never treated the sugar workers in the manner his heirs are treating them now.
The letter-writer, asininely says, our Union behaves as “…spoilt brat…”. Is the juvenile label applied because we have continued to vocally and loudly champion the calls, cries and plight of the sugar workers? Is it because we have not failed to turnover every stone as we stand on the side workers who have and are being treated most discriminatorily by the current powers-that-be? Or, is it because we have gotten under some persons thin skin? Whatever the case, infantile remarks and monikers will not daunt or dissuade us.
We are told that our Union, during the administrations of the PPP/C, made “…unreasonable demands… even when unjustified”. This is surprising when coming from someone who appears to be a close embracer of the APNU+AFC. It seems he has forgotten, conveniently or not, that this incumbent Administration, when in Opposition, told sugar workers that they were under-paid and they deserved better. Some personalities now in Government told sugar workers, prior to being ensconced in office, that they would give them a 20 per cent increase in pay. So how is it that the Union’s demands then were as Mr Hamilton puts it ‘unjustified’ but, at the same time, workers, at the very same time, were being underpaid. It’s sad for us to recognize that the letter-writer has become trapped in his deceptive web.
Mr Hamilton also blames the Unions as partially responsible for the industry’s current state-of-affairs. Of course, as we have pointed out on several occasions, the state of the industry was not unknown to the nation. Parliamentary records would very much attest to this contention. But, the letter-writer should not try to throw his hogwash on us. The current situation in the industry cannot be divorced in any way from the actions and/or inaction of the Coalition regime. It is the Coalition, which ignored its own CoI report and recommendations. It is the Coalition, which approved the borrowing of $30B without any plan. And, it is the Coalition which stood idly by and allowed infighting between NICIL and GuySuCo. So to now come and try to pass off a despicable and ignominious record on our Union, is just a pointless effort to distort the reality and the truth.
We are also told that the actions of the sugar unions are intent at driving a wedge between the workers, on one hand, and the Government and GuySuCo, on the other hand. Poor, poor Mr Hamilton is obviously misguided and completely out-of-place. The Government, by its very actions, have served to drive a wedge, if not create a valley, between itself and the sugar workers. Just bear in mind, that a petition supported by thousands of sugar workers to the President was snubbed by the Granger regime. Or just consider that to-date, the President has not even once stepped foot in the villages of the closed estates to see how those Guyanese are making out. Certainly, the list in this direction is very lengthy and can take up several pages.
We also want to assure Mr Hamilton and those of his ilk that we will continue to act responsibly and sensibly. We will not cower in the face of intimidation and threats. Our Union has a proud history of struggle and the sugar workers are known for the courage in standing up to bullies and those who seek to intimidate them. History is replete of examples of peoples’ united struggles winning over Goliaths. History is said to often repeat itself, and we have, no doubt, it will do so again in this case.
