The Guyana Agricultural and general Workers Union (GAWU) has a glorious history as regards championing the cause of workers and the fight for independence and social justice. Throughout its existence the union never restricted itself only towards direct industrial issues but all others which have an indirect bearing on the welfare of workers such as wars, nuclear disarmament reduction of military spending and education of workers.
At its Regent Street headquarters it had a systematic and organised education programme for its membership throughout the year and this contributed significantly towards the union becoming the largest and most militant union in this country.
Unfortunately, forces bent on destroying and rolling back progress in this country went on a rampage following the 2001 general elections and GAWU headquarters became a victim of the arsonists.
But true to its reputation of militancy and ability to deal with adversities, as it has been steeled in a struggle spanning for six decades, it was able to acquire a new headquarters in Kingston and only a couple days ago opened a spanking new Labour College costing some $110M.
This facility will contribute tremendously towards the education and training of GAWU cadres and enhancing their representational skills for the thousands of workers which the union represents across the local industrial spectrum. And it could not have been opened at a more opportune time than during the birth anniversary of its founder and honorary president Dr. Cheddi Jagan, that champion and hero of the working class.
President of GAWU, Mr. Komal Chand in his address at the opening ceremony of the college said the activity represents the realisation of a cherished dream, and from the union’s perspective, the construction of the college, is a monumental feat.
“In the overall and varied activities of our union, education has been a fixture on our agenda, it is a work spanning very many years. We consider it as indispensable for a disciplined organisation and the struggles of our workers to understand the issues and engage in struggles linked to their basic and immediate interests,” he stated.
He said the thrust of their educational work, as in the past, will certainly continue, to provide the essential tools and knowledge to members to be more and more effective at their work place and trade union work.
“We seek also to lift our members overall consciousness. Working class unity, indeed national unity and solidarity, are values dear to us, and these are values that we promote in our educational activities too,” he stated.
He said “we live in times that are troubled and a world that is becoming increasingly complex” alluding to the grips of the economic and financial crisis – the consequences of which millions of workers laid off their jobs and millions thrown out of their homes.
However, he noted, “But the crisis is a great education to the world’s workers too. It has exposed the capitalist system better” and must learn from it.
“Organisation, education, unity, solidarity, and struggles are our answer to defend our interests, our cause, and to bring alternative systems more supportive of working peoples well-being and welfare,” he stated.
Chand also insisted that the time has come for Government to be active, in a major way, in workers education.
“While the sugar industry is our largest base, our college will also serve workers from eleven other enterprises where our union enjoys bargaining rights,” he underscored, and the Labour College will be expected to deliver quality education programmes designed to accommodate the varying academic backgrounds of its members, while setting certain minimum levels in the content of what is to be delivered.
Chand said he hopes that the programmes develop, to be able to include members of its sister unions in the future.
He said the intention also to accommodate members who wish to move to higher professional levels by providing training in some appropriate subjects and to develop Certificate and Diploma programmes that can be fully accredited and recognised.
He highlighted that, Dr. Jagan, was a tower of strength for the union as, indeed, for the entire working class, declaring the establishment of the GAWU Labour College is a tribute to the great working class teacher and educator, Dr. Jagan.
He pledged to intensify its efforts to provide quality workers education for its members and the wider trade union fraternity.