ATTITUDE informs behaviour and represents what one stands for. My passion and commitment to fair play, justice and equality in society which are grounded in international conventions, charters and acceptable, time-honoured principles have shaped the approach I bring to social, cultural, economic and political issues.I am a trade unionist and student of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and I’m the son of Steven Lewis, who was a trade unionist and fearlessly spoke his mind and taught his children to do likewise. These have in no small way shaped my attitude.

Both men, whom I consider mentors, stood their ground on matters of principles, even if at times it meant going it alone or being ostracised. For me, these attributes represent strength not weakness. It also says they were prepared to die on their feet rather than live on their knees for their convictions. These experiences shaped me, represent what I stand for, inform my attitude, and are displayed in my behaviour.

As a citizen whose rights and freedoms are not only adumbrated in international conventions and charters, but enshrined in the Guyana Constitution, I’d be darned if I sit silently and allow any one, irrespective of status, to seek to deny me what are guaranteed to me. As a trade unionist and a representative of a stakeholder organisation whose role in society is clearly outlined in the Constitution, I will not sit silently or walk away when good governance is being threatened or not being attained.

This trade union movement laid the foundation for 20th century Guyana in conceptualising, developing and implementing a strategy for self-determination. Two major landmarks can be noted, namely, in 1905, when workers organised themselves under Critchlow’s leadership, and 1926 at the Caribbean Labour Leaders Conference, that he participated in, which saw a programme put in place for the empowerment of the Caribbean peoples.

This programme included one-man-one-vote, internal self-government, and improvement in standards of living and conditions of work. When the politicians came in 1949 and formed the first mass-based political party in 1950 (the People’s Progressive Party), they embraced the trade union agenda and worked with the unions and workers in furtherance of same.

When Guyana attained independence in 1966, one of the first international institutions the country joined was the International Labour Organisation (ILO). That same year (1966), the Forbes Burnham government ratified ILO conventions No. 87 and 98 which speak to Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining. The cadre of leadership that took this country into independence has socialised me to believe that rights and freedoms are sacred and must not be grovelled for. This position is further strengthened by my ancestors’ struggles and what are enshrined internationally and locally.

Some despise my attitude in standing up and demanding that they respect people’s rights, because such conflict with their belief that they have the liberty to transgress same. They fail to understand that attitude grounded in acceptable international principles and practices is bound to come into conflict with any who transgresses rights and violates the rule of law.
Some who don’t like my attitude must be told I don’t like some of their attitudes. I cannot support growing disregard for rights and laws, and I have to have an attitude of intolerance and am willing to fight and stand up against misconduct.

Those in the Executive who today make the excuse of not wanting to deal with me because of my attitude, should stop hiding behind falsities. You are reminded that when you were in opposition, my attitude in standing up to excesses of the Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar governments as you cowered, spoke platitudes, or were too timid to speak, served your purpose.

The same attitude that was right then cannot be wrong now, for this attitude is progressive, proactive, will hold all accountable and is grounded in universal principles.  Look around the world today – these are principles embraced by governments or see people in other societies calling on their governments to embrace.

My attitude of intolerance to petty politics, corruption, lawlessness, nepotism, abuse of privilege, and disregard for the principles of representative leadership in our system of government shall not cease. My attitude will call on the people to hold their leaders accountable, and the police to lock up those who break the law, be it the president or rank and file.

This attitude will say to the opposition that in embracing  what I say today, which has been the signature of my activism, is indicative that you knew what was right yet did wrong, and I shall continue to hold you accountable for your stewardship of this country.

I have an attitude against growing disregard for the change the people voted for, rights and good governance, increasing greed and corruption. Mine is an attitude that will rail against discrimination and collusion between elected officials and employers in returning conditions to the workplace that Critchlow, Joseph Pollydore, Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan and my forebears fought against.

As a trade unionist, when I look at where we were from 1905 and are heading today, the periods of Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi and Janet Jagan stand out in a positive light.

I love my attitude. My attitude isn’t going anywhere. What will be seen is the deepening and reinforcing of actions in keeping with international conventions and human rights.

Everyone must have an attitude for justice and fair play.