Dear Editor,
Labour is at a serious crossroads. Some labour unions have succumbed to restriction and others are struggling to maintain their liberty. Solidarity, the bedrock of trade unionism has different meanings for different people. Some unions have aligned with the government, ignoring its transgressions against the working class, just to survive and get a few handouts. Then there are the unions which seem still committed to their membership by remaining independent of government control. Independence remains a commendable position though the government is leaving no stone unturned to undercut and annihilate the independent unions. No one thought the once self-professed working class PPP would become the biased and selective anti-working class government.
FITUG and the GTUC are quarrelling in the public square over a politician’s address at the GTUC rally. FITUG seemed offended that Robert Corbin, GLU President General and member of FITUG abandoned his post and spoke at the GTUC rally. The PNC and PPP think they have to control the trade unions. It is just not enough for them to form alliances; there has to be total control. The PPP controls GAWU, NAACIE and GLU in the resuscitated FITUG. Political control and influence are maintained with the presence of the powerful GAWU President, Komal Chand, who is also a PPP executive member and Member of Parliament. Though Mr Corbin is FITUG’s senior politician because of his big titles, it is the PPP that mans the ship.
Workers get the best out of their unions when they are independent. History records the sad consequences of politically controlled unions. Strikes during the 1970s-1980s and the burning of young sugar cane did not serve the workers but represented politicians’ weapons to fight each other, hinder production, and hamper the country’s development through millions of dollars lost in revenue.
It seems the GTUC has no overt political affiliation or influence other than the fact that its President, Gillian Burton, was on the 2006 PNCR candidates list. The future will tell if the GTUC under her leadership would succumb to PNC or PPP control. When this happens the members’ cause will be sidelined to Mr Corbin’s occasional tantrums or Mr Jagdeo’s penchant for control.
The GTUC and GPSU are the recipients of the government selective anti-working class positions. The treatment of the customs officers and the GPSU demand for due process is being ignored by the government. Government continues to selectively impose wage increases, violate collective bargaining and disregard trade union rights. It refuses to release the GTUC and CLC grants and has snuffed out the GPSU agency shop. In spite of the politicians’ behaviour the GTUC and GPSU cannot surrender their independence and have to continue fighting for the membership which is depending on them.
Yours faithfully,
Dindial Naipaul
