ONE must have noticed the presence of an attorney who was reported to be representing the interests of the Guyana Trades Union Congress at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry. Suffice it to say that it is not uncommon for various interest groups to be represented by counsel at such occasions.

My curiosity has been aroused, particularly given the role of the TUC during the Burnham tyranny. It must be recalled what Burnham did to the GTUC in seeking to subvert, to suppress, the protests of the public service workers when they protested against the abysmal conditions of work as the socio-economic fabric of the nation deteriorated.

This resulted in the watershed decision by the militant Gordon Todd, the CCWU and other progressive unions to exit the umbrella body of the GTUC, thereby birthing the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).

Thus one is left to wonder, even ask, whether the GTUC’s presence at the inquiry may not be an extension of the People’s National Congress. Further, is this union body fearful of what their role had been during the period of workers’ protest being exposed?
TRENTON WILLIAMS