Is PNC leader serious about independence of labour movement?

Dec 30, 2008 Letters

Dear Editor,
Reference is made to Kaieteur News’ article “PNC seeks deferral for greater consultation” in your 29/12/2008 edition.
It is disheartening to read of another attempt by the PPP to destroy independent labour. There seems no credible partner to aid labour survival.
For labour to retain its independence it needs strong political alliances.
The PNC has not been strong recently. The AFC seems oblivious. There’s not much hope the PNC will be successful in deferring the Bill. This pessimism is borne from Corbin’s seemingly inability to understand the nuances and importance of labour, his role in the process and Duncan’s success in expelling him from the GLU.
The PNC consultation with stakeholders on the Trade Union Recognition Bill (TURB) has been from the perspective of Mr. Robert Corbin’s actions over the years.
In 2003, as newly elected PNC leader, in his address at the Square of the Revolution, Corbin identified the stakeholders he will partner with. The Trade Union was not among them.
In 2004 Corbin was elected President General of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU). This union was founded by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, our National Hero.
In 2005 the GLU joined FITUG. FITUG was resuscitated in 1999 after GAWU and NAACIE walked out from the GTUC in protest at the GTUC action condemning the police shooting of striking public servants. Mr. Corbin was President General of the GLU when it joined FITUG.
At the 2006 May Day March and Rally the media covered the street scuffles between the Robert Corbin and Carvil Duncan factions. Corbin was GLU President General and Carvil Duncan General Secretary. As President General, Corbin is the Leader of the GLU. Corbin’s faction attended the GTUC rally and Duncan’s faction attended FITUG’s rally. At FITUG’s rally Duncan pronounced the death of the GTUC. In 2007 Corbin was disenfranchised by Duncan to be a candidate for re-election as President General on the premise that he was not a member of the GLU.
At the 2008 May Day Corbin attended the GTUC rally and Duncan FITUG’s.
Duncan’s call for the destruction of the GTUC seems to be something the PPP took seriously. Corbin did not take his role as Leader of the GLU seriously, or entered an alliance with Duncan and the PPP to destroy the GTUC, commend the 1999 police shooting of public servants and destroy the working class.
PNC Shadow Minister of Labour, Basil Williams, said of TURB:
1. It is intended to remove the GTUC from the Trade Union’s Representation Certification Board.
2. The legislation will marginalise and destroy small unions whilst destroying the aspirations of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow for a single national association of trade unions.
3. The amendment will seek to repeal sections of the principal Act which previously guaranteed a role for the GTUC. The GTUC is the only umbrella body recognised by the International Labour Organisation.
4. He emphasised that the legislation is in essence seeking to have the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) become the union to be consulted as it relates to the bargaining process.
5. The legislation will remove the GTUC from the board that approves the certification of small unions.
What I would like to know, Mr. Editor, does Corbin possess the same knowledge possessed by Williams?
If the answer is yes, why did Corbin let GLU become a member of FITUG; did he not see this coming? Can the workers, through the media, get a comment from Mr. Corbin?
Albert Thompson

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Is PNC leader serious about independence of labour movement?

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