Dear Editor,
REFERENCE is made to a letter, “GTUC never had any discussion on closure of sugar estates” written by Eon Andrews, Vice-President, GTUC (SN, January, 20, 2018).
The structure of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) and the roles of its principal officers are clearly defined in its constitution. This constitution vests the authority in the general-secretary for the day-to-day administration and activities of the organisation.
The office-holder is so empowered to publicly speak to issues that impact the welfare and interest of workers/citizens, be they in the workforce or out, unionised or non-unionised. Speaking is done via various means such as press statements/releases, letters, interviews and appearing on programmes. Issues affecting our constituency run the gamut from governance to the minutest of rights and violations by employer, government, institutions and individuals.
The Central Executive Council of the GTUC has responsibility to ensure that all activities of the organisation are executed within the purview of the policies which are informed by the international trade union principles and guided by the Constitution of Guyana, laws and the Collective Labour Agreement. Prioritising of the activities of the organisation is the responsibility of the general-secretary. However, should there exist a difference of opinion such as the execution of such, the Central Executive Council allows for ventilation and guidance, after following a process of deliberation, debates and determination.
On the matter of the state of the sugar industry and particularly the treatment of the trade union and sugar workers, the GTUC’s public positions on the issues are not inconsistent with the trade union’s principles and the organisation’s policy. At the day-to-day operational level, these tenets are the responsibility of the general-secretary to publicly articulate, defend and advance. It also includes speaking out against day-to-day violations and transgressions. Silence is not an option that the office- holder can exercise.
To the reference made that the Postal and Telecommunication Workers Union (PTWU) is fighting for its survival and the said passion directed to sugar should be directed to this union, there is no discriminatory treatment on the two issues. While sugar attracts more public attention and corresponding articulation by the GTUC, the PTWU continues to benefit from the advice of the GTUC secretariat. Should this matter become publicly volatile and rancid as sugar, GTUC with the same passion being given to sugar shall make its position public.
It is not lost on me the concerns raised by Bro. Andrews with regard to the discriminatory treatments meted out to the GTUC, its arms and affiliated unions by the former PPP/C Government.
Neither too are the instances of silence to such abuses by unions in FITUG, or the preferential treatment given to them by the former PPP/C Government. At the same time, where the trade union sees the creating of a just society built on equality and dignity in the treatment of all, it would be an abrogation of my duties as a trade unionist and guardian of the GTUC, to stay silent when violations and transgressions occur under any government.
My day-to-day activities as a trade unionist and general-secretary are guided by the GTUC’s constitution, universally acceptable principles, international conventions and charters, universal declarations and the rule of law, not how I feel or vote.
Regards
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
GTUC
