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GTUC laments holding of separate wreath laying for Critchlow Week
Despite the inclement weather yesterday, members of the Guyana Trade Unions Congress (TUC) gathered in the afternoon for a wreath laying ceremony at the foot of the Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow Monument.
The Master of Ceremonies, Leslie Gonsalves, undertook the inspection of the parade and received the salute from the marching company as the proceedings began, before launching into the ceremony despite being thoroughly soaked in the process, an attitude mirrored by the participants who all engaged in a hearty rendition of the “trade union song”.
Gathered for the event were a number of representatives from the member unions of the Guyana Trade Union Congress.
Mayor Hamilton Green laying a wreath at the foot of the Critchlow Monument
Among them, Mayor Hamilton Green who pointed out that there are many forces aligned against the Trade Unions at this time. He spoke of the division between the Unions, saying that he was shocked to hear that the very same morning there had already been a wreath laying ceremony by persons who can only be deemed mercenaries.
He also used a number of biblical references to encourage the members of the GTUC to keep the faith and not give up the principles that they stand for, saying “… you must not dither, must not sleep, for the forces of evil are strong.”
General Secretary of the PNC/R and Member of Parliament, Basil Williams, pointed out that despite the school of thought which posited that there was no need for trade unions since employers can now provide the things which trade unions formerly fought for, the movement is alive and well. He also noted that members must recognise that they are Trade Unionists and not politicians and there needs to be real devotion to the cause.
He said that walking the path of politics and trade unionism simultaneously does pose a conflict of interest.
Leslie Gonsalves, secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU) said that members should take heart.
He said that they should be strong because when Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow started the group he started it with a group that was divided as well.
The commentary on division that was the common thread through all of the presentations was directed at the fact that the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana held their own wreath laying ceremony yesterday morning at 7hrs.
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