Why a Congress?

Whenever six hundred (600) members of any organization meet for 2½ days to deliberate, exchange views, refine policies after clarifying issues and then make important long-lasting decisions, that occasion has to be extremely significant and useful.

When the gathering is planned, structured and an event such as the 19th Delegates Congress of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), then the activity borders on national significance.

“National” because GAWU is Guyana’s and the Region’s largest workers Bargaining Agent. “National” because GAWU represents thousands of workers in strategic sectors of Guyana’s economy – in agriculture, forestry, fishery, distillery and some clerical interests.

But why a Congress every three years? GAWU members from all branches now know that Congress represents the highest forum of governance of the union, in keeping with the Constitution of the Union. Not to convene a Congress would be a breach of the Constitution and send a message that all is not well with the management, accountability and transparency of the unit of which they are thousands of financial members. So, in one fundamental sense, the convening of the Triennial Congress is proof that GAWU is a well-organised, accountable and democratic institution, which respects and adheres to its members’ constitutional rules and regulations.

As is usually observed, the Congress is “the highest decision-making forum” of the union, in between all the other levels of representation – from workplace sessions through shop steward or branch meetings to General Council deliberations. Through Motions and Resolutions, all the union’s members, through their representative delegates to Congress will have their contributions to the union’s development and well being considered and known. Through their Branches and groups, delegates are nominated to represent members’ interests and concerns.

Of course, Congress is also convened to review the work and progress made since it last met – in this case at Bath, West Coast Berbice, three years ago. Both Executive and grassroot membership grasp the opportunity to assess how well they coped with the execution of the decisions taken, as well as how they, as union members and the nation’s employees fared during the three year period under review.
Also, it is at Congress that the membership chooses those that would represent them on the 50 member General Council.

Those reasons – and others – make Congress compulsory. It is a symbol of vibrant, responsible trade union in democratic action.
Combat wishes the 19th Delegates’ Congress, every success!