–to rally ‘round labour

HUNDREDS of workers from the various unions all across the country braved the weather yet another year to march together in observance of Labour Day.
The march saw the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) coming together for the second consecutive year in over two decades, putting aside their differences and gyrating in one accord through the streets of Georgetown to the sweet melodies of Guyanese soca and chutney tunes.
Union workers from all corners of Guyana flooded the streets of Georgetown, decked out in traditional red, umbrella in hand and colourful banners and placards aloft proclaiming their various messages.

The march commenced at Parade Ground on lower Middle Street, before making its way into Main Street and then onto the Avenue of the Republic, straight into D’Urban Street and then all the way to the National Park for the unity rally, where government ministers and representatives of the Parliamentary Opposition were waiting to pay their respects and have their say.
Along the way, the Guyana Chronicle caught up with GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis, and he made the telling observation that today’s political movement is no longer driven by philosophy but by opportunism.

And his reason for saying this is that while the unions continue to be guided by the ILO (International Labour Organisation)’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, they find themselves in conflict with the political movements in their respective countries.
What needs to be done to address the disconnect, he said, is not so much a reassignment of the programme of the labour movement, but a re-assessment as to what is the thinking of our political leaders.

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
He also feels that unions here need to start organising and mobilising, because nothing has ever been achieved without a struggle, and for him, the struggle continues.
“Workers rights is still a pressing issue that workers face,” Lewis said. “People are being dismissed in contravention of the law, and all they are being told is that they would be paid severance. The law and workers rights should be respected.”
The Guyana Chronicle also caught up with FITUG Vice-President, Komal Chand, who opined that both his organisation and GTUC should continue working together, so they can have a stronger voice.

Among unions on the march besides GTUC anD FITUG were: The Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU); the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU); the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU); the Union of Agriculture and Allied Workers (UAAW); and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).