LABOUR Day 2015, was celebrated in high spirits yesterday, as thousands of workers, all in one accord, took to the streets of Georgetown for the traditional and colourful Workers’ Day parade.Decked in red and black/white, it was a spectacular display as workers representing dozens of work organisations, paraded under their respective trade union banners and marched energetically to celebrate 101 years of gains made on behalf of the working class, ever since the May 1, 1914, establishment of the trade union movement in British Guiana by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.
The parade moved off from its traditional route on Parade Ground, Middle Street, wended its way through the streets of Georgetown and for most contingents, finally ending up at the junction of Albert Street and Woolford Avenue – outside the Critchlow Labour College, named after Critchlow, the father of trade unionism in Guyana.
The Labour Day parade gave workers a platform to press demands for better wages and working conditions; the condemnation of : domestic violence and trafficking in persons; sexual harassment; abuse of women – physically, verbally and psychologically; while calling for the issues of unemployment and underemployment to be urgently addressed.
Banners were flagged, highlighting key issues or areas of concern and workers loudly chanted their demands along the parade route. Teachers were loud in their demand for the “debunching” payments which they claimed they were promised but never received. To this end, they proposed proceeding on a ‘Work to Rule’ (the practice by workers of refusing to do any work that is not strictly required as a
part of their jobs in order to protest unsatisfactory working conditions).
But after a fine and moving display of solidarity along the parade route, came the anti-climax. On reaching the Critchlow Square, came the stark evidence of fragmentation amidst the ranks of the trade union movement. Trade unions defiantly proceeding on their separate paths to hold separate rallies, addressed by speakers of their choice.
Workers are saying they have had enough of this kind of behaviour. They claim it is resulting in confusion within their minds, and moreover causing them to lose trust for and confidence in their trade union leaders.
Taking pride in the relationships that exist among the rank- and-file trade union members (the ordinary members of the organisation as opposed to its leaders), are now purporting that the leaders take a page out of their (ordinary members’) book and seek to find common ground on which to promote the business of trade unions, on workers’ behalf.
“We think that we have had enough of this nonsense, it’s time they “shape up” or “ship out” and let the young trade unionists who are flexible and open- minded and “think outside the box” take over, workers are saying.
“After all, in unity there is strength, and trade unionism is all about unity for the improvement of the lot of the workers. We are calling for a strong and united trade union movement. Let strength and unity prevail.”
That apart, at the end of the rallies, rank and file workers had a grand time together as they came together at their respective clubs and recreation facilities for the usual “Labour Day” unwinding, characterised by an abundance of unrestrained laughter, food, beverage and music.
Members of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) , for example, had a spirited time together as they converged at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports Club for a refreshing and stress-free day. They were later visited by Mayor Hamilton Green and APNU executive member, parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law, Basil Williams and others.