Ms Burton’s works prove that she is a competent trade unionist

May 20, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
Before I respond to Martin Roberts’s letter (Kaieteur News, 2008-05-12: “What are the TUC’s plans for addressing the problems confronting workers”), I must condemn in the strongest possible terms the statement from FITUG that the women from the Red Thread group were not eligible to be part of May Day (FITUG statement that care givers not workers caused hurt and anger, SN 2008-08-10).

I found this statement distasteful and disrespectful to all women, and it deserves condemnation from all sections of the society. It also serves to illustrate my point that the problem with the trade union movement is not the Government but the quality of leaders in the movement. The movement is supposed to champion the cause of the poor and the powerless, but in the case of FITUG, its leaders are attacking women. This irresponsible statement cannot be attributed to the Government, but to a section of the movement.
I found Martin Roberts’s letter to be dishonest and unfair. Even in the face of concrete evidence, he continues to portray Ms. Burton as a poor and incompetent leader, and this I totally disagree with. I cannot believe he would suggest that Ms. McDonald has a better record of speaking about the plight of workers than Ms. Burton.

Based on what I have read in the press, Ms. McDonald’s union has signed a five-year salary agreement at 5%, which is below the rate of inflation. Her union is before the courts for allegedly violating a member’s rights, and it is alleged that her union has not been audited since the late 1980s and that it does not have a collective labour agreement. I have never seen anything written by Ms. McDonald or heard her speak out on any issue that might be affecting workers.
Ms. Burton, on the other hand, has spoken on issues affecting workers and has lead from the front. She was even visible when C. N. Sharma’s licence was suspended, and spoke with the media on the night of the vigil. Her union is not before the courts and it has not been accused of violating members’ rights. On May Day she called for the salary agreement signed between the Government and teachers to be reviewed. Ms. McDonald did not say whether this will be done. Mr. Roberts, I hope that you are now convinced Ms. Burton is a genuine trade unionist.
Samantha Ali

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Ms Burton’s works prove that she is a competent trade unionist

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