May Day parade turnout largest in recent times - Carvil Duncan

May Day parade turnout largest in recent times – Carvil Duncan

May 02, 2009 News

a section of the rallying workers at the National Park

This year’s May Day rally seemed to have attracted a larger turnout than the past year. FITUG President, Carvil Duncan said that this year the turnout was three times the size of previous years and that it resulted from earnest motivation on their part.
However, there have been significantly larger May Day parades in the city.
Though it started a little after its stipulated 07:30 hrs schedule, workers representing various entities marched through the streets of Georgetown braving the early morning showers and then the broiling sun, their faces shining with the hope of positive work changes, maybe new pay hikes and better working conditions.

The planned CCWU boycott of the march did not materialize. General Secretary Grantley Culbard later said that his union had stated that it was boycotting the rallies hosted by both GTUS and FITUG.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) had the largest contingent by far. The group representing the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) was also a sizeable body.

The procession moved off from Independence Park, marched along Middle Street, thereafter turning into Main Street. It then moved down the Avenue of the Republic, into D’ Urban Street, before turning into Louisa Row. From there the procession turned into Cummings Street, then it was a right into Regent Street and into Albert Street before splitting up at Albert Street, some heading to the National Park and others to the Critchlow Labour College.

FITUG President, Carvil Duncan, described the parade as a good one that met the expectations of the union.
When the workers arrived at the National Park some time after 10:00 hrs the majority seemed agitated, while many appeared to be tired and fatigued. The jovial banter was however present in many and some did not waste time accessing their favourite beverages.
Sections of the audience at the National Park were extremely rowdy and paid no attention to the speakers. At one point the chairperson, Kenneth Joseph, was forced to remind the workers that the event was hosted in their best interest and warranted that they remain attentive.

Actually the only time their attention was entirely captured was when veteran comedian Henry Rodney took to the stage to transform them into fits of hysterical laughter. He received resounding applause for his efforts and left the stage after some half hour of performance, smiling with satisfaction.
Though the turnout on the GTUC side was not as large as that of FITUG, the workers there were attentive during the speeches, whether they were seated or even standing around.
Speeches attracted loud applause and when the ceremony ended the workers retired to the many vehicles for food and refreshments while others returned to the GPSU head office for reveling and festive enjoyment. (Alex Wayne)