Allow me on this May Day, this red-letter day of workers, to salute all workers of Guyana and to extend this salutation to the working-class in countries across the world. For those workers who are free to celebrate this day, they, like us, expectedly would review past challenges, events and issues impacting their lives and struggles. To those of our fellow-workers in countries that prevented them from celebrating this day and even to have trade unions, our fullest solidarity goes out to them.

This tradition of May Day, we recall, has revolutionary beginnings. On May 01, 1886, workers in Chicago, USA called a general strike for an eight-hour workday. Two (2) days later, the police, as usual, were unleashed on them killing six (6) workers. On May 04, a protest rally took place in a square called Haymarket. At that rally, a bomb exploded and the very large contingent of police who were in readiness went into action with more shootings, beatings and brutality. Eight of the strike leaders were arrested that day. Of them, four were sent to the hangman’s noose. As they went to their death they were singing the revolutionary song called the Marseillaise. And one of them, August Spies, before life was squeezed out of him shouted these words: “The time will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you strangle today.”

Thus, working-class history refers to the Haymarket Martyrs from which came May Day. The decision to name May 01 an international day of workers was taken in 1889 at a meeting of Socialist parties, known as the Second International to honour the struggles and martyrdom of those who sacrificed so much to better their lives and, in the process, the betterment of lives of workers everywhere.

But comrades, those history-making and inspiring events occurred 126 years ago. During this time many battles have been fought by the working-people and oppressed worldwide and many gains have been made too. But some critical things remain the same.

As we follow the developments of today much of the experiences of a century and a quarter ago are again replayed albeit in a new and different context.

The working class, youths, students and pensioners again find themselves at the centre of class struggles raging in different corners of the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Following the tabling of almost similar motions by the two (2) opposition political parties – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) – in the National Assembly on (Monday) April 23, 2012 to debar the Government from providing, among other things, G$6B to the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in order to avoid a likely increase by twenty (20) per cent in electricity rates, sugar workers from Guysuco’s seven (7) estates reacted by engaging in protest (today) April 24, 2012.

The factories at Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall, Blairmont and Enmore did not process any sugar since the workers stayed away from work. On all the Estates, a number of field workers also downed tools in support of the one day’s action. Read the rest of this entry »

The majority of workers from the Factory, the Mill Dock, the Mechanical Tillage and the Field Workshop of Blairmont Estate did not take up work today (April 16, 2012) at their respective workplaces in solidarity with two of their colleagues who have been denied Industrial Payment Benefit by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

Workers, Nipaul Omrow and Nazeer Hussain suffered injuries at their workplaces on March 05 and 09, 2012 respectively. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the bonds common to most of Guyana’s ethnic groups is their religious nature and spiritual pursuit of higher calling for living exemplary lives.

Guyanese are guaranteed religious freedom by Constitutional Law. Our people demonstrate religious tolerance as various groups practice their own faith unhindered.

This weekend the Christian community observes its most scared component of their faith – the crucifixion then resurrection of Jesus Christ which many Christian regard as God the Son.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins, through its recognition of that significant pillar of the Christian Faith with Guyanese to reflect upon all the elements of this revered weekend.

The dozens of messages inherent in the Christians accounts of their Saviour’s prophesied demise and raising up are in fact lessons for all of human-kind to consider.

A divine being, representing His Father’s Will, having come as a Hope, a Beacon of Salvation for his errant followers, lives a life of service and guidance, but is there put to death by Rulers of an Empire dedicated to perpetuating their dominion over the poor and powerless.

Everlasting hope is forever re-kindled as many witness a resurrection, defying mere earthly mortal control of man’s government. GAWU which is home to thousands of Christians members regards the Crucifixion/Resurrection story as a powerful basis for mankind’s redemption from their errant ways, if they give meaning to these beliefs rooted in the Biblical events of 2012 years ago.

GAWU exhorts members of the Christian Faith to use the lessons of their sacrificial Lenten fast to be steadfast in their pursuits for the rest of the year. Let the hope born of the Resurrection, inform their confrontations with the realities and our past-election politics and recent Budgetary announcements.

Faith and truth must set all Guyanese free, As Christians and other Guyanese celebrate their hope with kites and cross-buns and happy gatherings, let us all join them in renewing commitment to nation building. Read the rest of this entry »

The Holi Festival, known in Guyana more as Phagwah, encompasses all the human elements religious-based observances tend to depict – and even more.

The Hindu festival of tribute to the Earth and its sustenance of those willing to work the land illustrate the positive side of Mother Nature and its relationship with us human mortals. But the mythology of the tales of the Good Son Prahalad believing in an Eternal God and being challenged to defy blazing fire alongside an evil Aunt Holika, starkly teaches that those who light fires of envy, hate and deceit, are often consumed by their own seeds of fiery destruction, as Holika was. Read the rest of this entry »

Very formally, the United Nations Organisation (the UN) has designated March 08 as International Women’s Day – and United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace. The call for March 08 to be designated International Day of Women was championed firstly by the 2^nd International Conference of Socialist Women held in Copenhagen in 1910. Since then it was observed on various dates by countries comprising the Soviet Union and other countries in the Socialist bloc and other progressive organisations across the world.

Perhaps the UN, in a demonstration of Collective Wisdom, knows the inescapable relationship between women’s rights and international peace. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), however, is simply satisfied to be able to join the international community in observing this day dedicated to the presence and contribution of the beautiful women of this world. Read the rest of this entry »

Another anniversary of Guyana’s republican status has rolled around. This week, we observe forty-two (42) years since February 23 when, by national consensus, we replaced the British monarch as head of state with our own president. For a Republic connotes power by and for the people, with no place for any real power residing in a foreign monarch – especially one who can symbolize a colonial past.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins with the rest of the nation in observing this milestone in status. There are Guyanese who utilize their right to question what is there to celebrate after forty-two (42) years as a republic. GAWU recognises and respects that right to enquire, but there is nothing wrong with observing, even if some are not given to celebration. Read the rest of this entry »