The Guyana Trades Union Congress: A Critical Gap, Structural Failures Affecting Workers

May 05, 2026 Letters

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Dear Editor,

The Guyana Trades Union Congress does not have an adequate answer to the current challenges facing workers. This is not merely a minor oversight or an administrative lapse. Rather, it represents a significant structural failure within the organization. Such a deficiency has tangible and serious consequences for real workers, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being.

Norris Witter, President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), has become a central figure whose statements and positions often shape the experiences of the union’s affiliates. His remarks serve as the default perspective within the organization, influencing decisions and policies in ways that directly impact the daily lives of those affiliated with the GTUC.

The right to know that an algorithm affected a decision about Norris Witter is not a nicety. It is a basic condition of democratic accountability.

Key Action and Recommendations: The Guyana Trade Union Congress (G.T.U.C.)

Revitalizing the G.T.U.C. requires the active inclusion of all affiliated unions. This includes hosting meetings with every union affiliated with the G.T.U.C., ensuring broad engagement and participation across the Congress.

1. Meetings must be held with all G.T.U.C. affiliated unions to foster communication and collaboration.
2. All affiliated unions are required to submit their collective agreements, ensuring transparency and the sharing of information.
3. It is essential to have discussions with the present General Secretary of the G.T.U.C., Mr. Lincoln Lewis, concerning the way forward and the changes required for the growth and development of the G.T.U.C.
4. As changes occur, the General Secretary must be allowed to embrace these new directions and participate in emerging opportunities. This includes connecting with members who can support the development process, set new goals, and focus on adaptability mechanisms.
5. Reassessing the role of the Critchlow Labour College as the education arm of the labour movement and restricting its existing education program to make it more compatible with the needs of the labour movement.
6. Restructure the G.T.U.C to better support the labour movement.
7. Improving G.T.U.C. structures and institutions’ efficiency.
8. Considering substantive measures to facilitate enhanced cohesion within the labour movement.

The question arises: Does the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) actively make decisions, or does it merely place them? Making decisions suggests a process of active leadership, deliberate choice, and responsibility, whereas placing decisions may imply following established procedures or passing along directives without meaningful engagement.

This issue is central to the structural challenges facing the GTUC. The answer has direct implications for workers, as the union’s approach to decision-making shapes both the policies enacted and the daily experiences of its affiliates. Understanding whether the GTUC is leading or simply administering highlights the need for revitalization and greater inclusion of all affiliated unions in its processes.

During my tenure as General Secretary of the CCWU, I was compelled to act alone to safeguard my union’s assets. Despite these efforts, the union’s credit union was ultimately taken over and removed from our control. This experience highlights the significant challenges faced in protecting union resources and ensuring that members’ interests are upheld.

The ongoing issue of individuals mismanaging or mishandling workers’ assets remains a significant concern. As General Secretary of the CCWU, I deeply regret the persistence of these practices. This situation has led to feelings of disappointment and frustration to the extent that I no longer wish to be involved in such circumstances. Protecting union resources is crucial, and the continued neglect or exploitation of these assets undermines the organization’s trust and integrity.

Within the ongoing challenges faced by the GTUC and its affiliated unions, the experience of seeing things in daylight while waiting in darkness by the fire serves as a metaphor for the union’s current state. There is clarity in certain moments—insights and progress—yet periods of uncertainty and anticipation remain. Members are encouraged to seek understanding and direction actively, even as they navigate periods of ambiguity. This duality reflects the union’s journey as it strives to protect assets, maintain transparency, and foster collaboration, all while confronting structural concerns and the need for revitalization.

Power of a Dream: A creative environment promotes the freedom of a dream. A creative environment encourages the use of a blank sheet of paper and the question, “If we could draw a picture of what we want to accomplish, what would that look like? A creative environment allowed Martin Luther King, Jr., to speak with passion and declare to millions. “I have a dream,” not “I have a goal.” Goals may give focus, but dreams give power. Dreams expand the world. That is why James Allen suggested that “dreamers are the saviors of the world.”

Sincerely,

Sherwood Clarke

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• GTUC, Guyana Trades Union, Letters, Sherwood Clarke

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