–fallen veteran trade unionist

THE local trade union fraternity was on Tuesday plunged into deep mourning on the passing of veteran trade unionist, Ann Anderson.
Anderson, née Nelson, General Secretary of the Clerical Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) and Secretary and Manager (Ag) of Clerical Commercial Workers’ Credit Union, died at the Georgetown Hospital. She was 52.

A committed and accomplished trade union icon who wore many hats, Ms. Anderson was also Executive Committee Member (Ex-Co) of the International Transport Workers’ Federation; World Board and Vice Chairperson of the ITF Women’s Committee; General Secretary of the Guyana Scouts Association and member of many other committees.
When the Guyana Chronicle visited the CCWU’s office on Quamina & Waterloo, a pall of grief overhung the facility and co-workers were very emotional as they tried desperately to come to terms with the dreadful reality.

Said Sherwood Clarke, CCWU President: “Ms. Nelson Anderson was a consummate professional, and was greatly admired not only by me, but by the entire Union Executive and by extension the workers whose cause she ardently represented.
“I loved her spirit, and was prepared to go in the firing line for her. What is more remarkable was that she was an ambassador for the union and the country.”
Besides being CCWU’s first female General Secretary, Anderson was the first elected woman representative for the Region (International Transport Federation Workers’ Union); the first Vice-Chair of the ITF globally; the first woman to be Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean; and First Vice-President of the Caribbean Region and Latin America.
Ms. Anderson attended the last Regional Conference of the IFT in Catherina on November 27, 2017, where she was the first woman to be elected to the ITF World Executive Board.
“Unfortunately, she will be unable to attend the first meeting of the ITF World Executive body scheduled for April this year, since she is no more,” Clarke said, adding:

MORE THAN A SHOCK
“Ms. Anderson’s death is more than a shock to me. She was a great and strong woman; an advocate for gender equality, and she leaves a rich legacy for the Union and the ITF as a whole.”

Chairperson of the CCWU Credit Union, Donna Todd, tearfully related:
“Ann’s death has been a shock to me. For years we had worked together, both within the union and the credit union, dating back to the early 2000s.
“In fact, I knew her eversince she worked at Guyana Stores, and would come to join the WAC. After that, we became very close; developed a bond, becoming more like sisters instead of workmates.

“Later, we both got on to the Credit Union Committee of Management, and that helped to foster our relationship, bonding us tighter because we both did training for the Credit Union, both locally and overseas.
“Our network of friends increased due to that. So, to me, Ann’s death is like the death of a sister. I am hoping that her legacy; what she did for both the union and credit union, would live on, and that we would build on that strength.”
For Noella Rodrigues, Typist Clerk:

“News of Ms. Anderson’s death hit us like a bullet. She has always been a jolly person, but hardworking and a disciplinarian.
“We never had a problem with her; all she was interested in was seeing you do your work in a satisfactory manner, and being a credit to your work organisation.
“She was never someone who would hound you down. Ms. Anderson will be greatly missed. We ask God to comfort her grieving family members.”
In the words of Bahati Richards:
“I must say Ms. Anderson will truly be missed. During the years I have worked with CCWU, I have found her to be a very strong woman.

TOUGH BUT KIND
“She tried to put on a very tough exterior, but on the inside, she was a gem. And so you would naturally be drawn to her.
“She was loving, caring, and had feelings for her staff and workers. She truly would be missed by me… This is very, very sad and sudden.”

Moved to tears, Bahati said: “I personally can’t deal with it, but God Almighty saw it fit to take her, and we cannot question Him.”
We next spoke to CCWU Executive Member, Kobena Paul, who said:
“I have been working alongside Sister Anderson for a number of years on the Executive of the CCWU.

“I have known her to be quite an easy-going but hardworking person towards the interest of the workers within the Union.

“There’re times when she went beyond the normal call of duty; there were times when you could have called her way into the night or early in the morning, and once it was in the interest of the union or the welfare of the workers, she would respond positively. “There are many workers who can attest to this. She was given to working resolutely to reverse some of the unfair decisions that were imposed on them by management of the organisations within which they worked. Ms. Anderson did a great job of responding to the concerns of the workers, and made them feel that their interest and welfare mattered.”
The funeral for the late Ann Nelson-Anderson will be held on Sunday, March 18, 2018. Viewing of the body will take place at Merriman’s Funeral Home between 12:00h and 13:30h.

The funeral service will be held at the Critchlow Labour College from 14:00h, thence to Le Repentir Cemetery for burial.
Wake will be held as follows:
* At her residence, 627 Mocha Arcadia Housing Scheme, today (Friday, March 16, 2018) from 19:00h; and
* At the CCWU tomorrow (Saturday, March 17, 2018) from 19:00h.