The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) yesterday said that it “regrets the death and mourns the passing of Brother George De Peana, a Guyanese and international trade unionist” who passed away on Monday.
According to a GTUC release, De Peana began his career as a trade unionist with the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU). He rose to the rank of General Secretary while serving under the presidency of DP Sankar and Gordon Todd and also served as Principal Assistant Secretary of GTUC.
De Peana migrated from Guyana in the 1970s to Jamaica where his first job there was as a Worker Education Officer with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) which entailed developing and implementing education programmes for Caribbean labour leaders. He then moved to Trinidad and Tobago where he continued to work with the ILO as a member of its Caribbean team, as a Senior Worker Specialist. During this period, he acted as Director of the Caribbean office.
After retiring from the ILO, De Peana returned to active trade unionism in the Caribbean and served as General Secretary of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) for three terms. He declined to contest for a fourth term and retired from active trade unionism.
De Peana was regarded by his peers as a regionalist and trade unionist extraordinaire and was committed to the survival of the trade union movement, given its importance to the development of the Caribbean peoples.
As an example of his dedication, when the CCL was experiencing financial constraints in 2002, he mortgaged his house in Trinidad to help offset expenses. This mortgage was repaid through a grant by the Government of Barbados under the leadership of Prime Minister Owen Arthur.
He worked tirelessly for the development of the workers and saw the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the free movement of skills as pivotal to harnessing and developing the resources (human, capital and natural) of the region for the benefit of the peoples of the region.
Apart from being a trade unionist, De Peana was also an athlete. As a long distance runner he represented Guyana in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. He was also the recipient of the Cacique Crown of Honour for his outstanding work as a trade unionist and was regarded as quick-witted and a great conversationalist.
The release stated that his family and his comrades in the trade union movement may take comfort, in this moment of grief, “from Bro. George’s outstanding sojourn on earth and the legacy he bequeathed us. It is nothing short of a true trade unionist and decent human being who throughout his life fought for the advancement of the human race. Bro. George will be greatly missed. He was a comrade, a friend, and a brother for those who knew him. He was a stalwart of the Trade Union Movement. May his soul rest in peace,” the release added.
