– to pay tribute to Critchlow and Dr Jagan
THE nation’s majority workers umbrella organization, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), is finalizing arrangements for two major pre-May Day/Labour Day activities with a view to paying tribute to two pioneers of the Guyanese workers struggle for their just rights, whilst promoting attention upon the current issue surrounding the local labour movement.

FITUG, in a statement yesterday, noted that it represents some 35,000 members from the Guyana Labour Union (GLU), the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).  FITUG said it will be hosting a Lecture today at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre beginning at 17:00 hrs, and the theme of the event is “Cheddi Jagan’s contribution to the Labour Movement.”

Dr Cheddi Jagan, besides being the modern-day leader of the anti-colonial struggle for Guyana’s political independence, was President of the Sawmills Workers Union in the late forties, early fifties and after Critchlow and Edun, was a ferocious representative of the working-class when the people elected him to the then Legislative Council in 1947, FITUG said.
The Union said  Cheddi Jagan was also the inspiration and Honorary President of GAWU,  the legitimate bargaining agent for the nation’s sugar workers, whose chosen union had to struggle for years for recognition during the era of the Burnham administrations.

Lead Speaker at the Lecture will be Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of FITUG.

On the morning of (Sunday) April 25, 2010, the Sunday which traditionally ushers in Critchlow Week leading up to Labour Day (May 1st), FITUG leaders and members will gather in the Public Buildings Courtyard at the statue of Guyana’s and the Caribbean pioneer labour leader, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. Wreaths will be laid at the base of the Monument and tributes and reminiscences will be delivered by Carvil Duncan, President of FITUG.

It is envisaged that FITUG’s Carvil Duncan will call for solidarity and unification of the country’s labour movement as his own union, the GLU, the Union of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, hopes that this will be the first and last occasion that FITUG will hold a separate ceremony at the illustrious monument.