Trade union movement needs urgent overhaul - GTUC President

Trade union movement needs urgent overhaul – GTUC President

Mar 22, 2017 News

By Brushell Blackman
President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Coretta Mc Donald, is of the firm opinion that the trade union movement in Guyana needs an urgent overhaul, since much has not changed over the years, and too many union

GTUC President Coretta Mc Donald

leaders are ‘hogging’ leadership positions for too long.
Mc Donald said that the movement has gradually shifted from a position of strength to one that has been diluted, and has been declining steadily, with politics rather than assured leadership taking precedence.
In an interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, she said that the work that is being done by trade unions is a far cry from what is expected. Mc Donald is of the view that many trade union leaders are not doing enough for the people that elected them. She said while she can appreciate a person having a political affiliation, too often partisan politics gets in the way of robust activism.
“The fact that these leaders were elected indicates that there is some degree of confidence in their ability and leaders should not betray the people who are looking to them to champion their causes.
Leaders should represent their masses without fear or favour, and should divorce the politics from their positions, failing which problems will arise, as what the trade union movement is currently experiencing.
“We have some questionable leaders among us; some accede to these positions for personal reasons and personal gains, and they do not mind the workers suffering.”
Mc Donald said that on the other hand, there are leaders within the trade union movement who continue to give their all for the people they represent. She noted that while trade unionism is not a lucrative endeavour, some leaders are “fortunate” and are collecting “handsome salaries”.
The trade unionist said that there are instances where persons have designed their trade unions and their constitutions in such a way that they are allowed to hold leadership positions for life. This, she believes, cannot be wholesome for the future of the trade union movement, since the various leadership roles are dominated by “aged men who have been heading these unions for many decades”.
“When they were elected as leaders someone had to step aside, so why are they not stepping down to give others a chance?” She believes that this temperament by these leaders gives the impression that there is a paucity of competent persons who can accede to these positions. Mc Donald noted that on the contrary, there are a number of intelligent and vibrant individuals that can rise to the challenge.
What is worrying, she said, is the fact that large sums are being spent to send union members on training, but it all counts for very little if there is no room for upward mobility and promotion.
On the current picketing exercise that is ongoing in front of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) headquarters, calling for the president Patrick Yarde to step down, Mc Donald said that she is in support of those individuals, and Yarde should step down.
“Everyone should laud the contribution of Mr. Yarde, because he has been a towering figure within the trade union movement, but it is time for him to pass on the mantle to someone else for the greater good and continuity of the trade union movement.”
Mc Donald went further to assert that it was not only Yarde who should call it quits, but there are a number of other aged union leaders who should step down as well.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News