Dear Editor,
Past stalwarts of the labour movement who have gone to the great beyond must have turned in their graves upon receiving the report of what transpired at the May Day celebrations in the Linden community. It was one of the most dismal showings ever, coming from a community that once stood out as having the most radical and militant workforce – mainly of bauxite workers – that once locked horns with the establishment and rocked its foundations.
Last Labour Day was proof enough that the labour movement in the Linden/bauxite community is in a state of paralysis. Since the advent of the extension of the ‘Town Day’ event to a ‘Town Week,’ Labour Day celebrations have been coinciding with it, and I did mention some three years ago that the fusion had contributed to diminishing its significance. Because it is held at the Mackenzie Car Park which is the central spot for the main Town Week events and is always buzzing with activity, it took away greatly from the importance of this day.
However, this time around there was a funny twist to it all. Respectfully, there was no loud music being played anywhere in the park, no vehicles swirling and revving while speakers were delivering remarks. On the contrary, Digicel unwittingly lent unparalleled support to this day by virtually painting the Linden bus park red – their advertisements in the form of decorations with buntings, signs/posters, flags, et al, were ubiquitous; they and labour were one that day.
And had it not been for those in and around the park who were attending to Town Week activities, and who also maybe wittingly or unwittingly helped to beef up the handful of participants/workers (25-30) who came out, all would have been totally lost. But the workers –the mottley few who kept the faith and came out must be specially commended, especially the womenfolk, who not only stood in defence of their men but also were a tribute to them. Can you imagine a Labour Day event that failed to attract 10 men?
I always thought that May 1 was a high-point occasion when all and sundry would emerge, when all grievances, differences, knots and other disturbing issues affecting workers would be ventilated. But sadly, this does not seem to be the case any more, for if it was so, then the Guyana Teachers Union, Linden Branch, would not have taken a decision to boycott the celebration; clearly they have misconstrued labour/workers’ unity. A boycott was not the way to settle scores with GTU President Colwyn King. At least they could have marched by themselves. But how does one explain the non-participation of GTUC representatives? How does one explain the President of the Guyana Mineworkers’ Union going to work as usual instead of representing his people? That the entire organization of the day’s event was done solely by GMWU Vice-President Burchell Aaron who single-handedly fetched every item – from water/ice to the rostrum to the park, and was the only union official in Linden who was present at the event? The union executive/officers in Linden should in all good faith resign; it would be shameful to remain put.
Lastly, the Linmine Secretariat CEO Mr. Horace James and the CEO of the Linmine Hospital Complex Mr Gordon Gumbs ought to be highly commended for being regular participants and presenters at the May Day rallies. What a farce the entire proceedings would have been had it not been for the encouraging presentations by these two gentlemen along with Regional Vice-Chairman Mr Hooper and Chairman of the proceedings, Charles Sampson.
The stage built for the Town Week celebrations and the well decorated park were a blessing.
Yours faithfully
Frank Fyffe
