For the membership of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and its leadership this is indeed a special occasion. For me, this activity represents the realization of a cherished dream. From the Union’s perspective, the construction of this College is a monumental feat. Its maintenance and use for the Union members would be an undeviating task we from the Union’s Central Executive have set ourselves. This structure and its complete furnishings, again from the Union’s point of view, will reach the princely sum of one hundred and ten million dollars or US $ 550,000.

This we are sure, is a wise investment to promote working class education.

The College building houses, among other things, 2 classrooms which can accommodate 35 and 30 students respectively, a Conference Room, a Recreation Room and a Library. Dormitory facilities are also provided for up to 35 students.

In the overall and varied activities of our Union, education has been a fixture on our agenda. It is a work spanning very many years. We consider it as indispensible for a disciplined organization and the struggles of our workers to understand issues and engage in struggles linked to their basic and immediate interests. Read the rest of this entry »

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), the bargaining agent for thousands of workers in Guyana’s sugar sector who are employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco), has to be sensitive to many issues related to what amounts to a management crisis – or challenge – in the Corporation’s hierarchy.

GAWU, by no means, intends to be “triumphant”, declaring an “I told you so” position. Rather, the Union can use the latest revelations to re-iterate its principled positions, founded on factual evidence, that GUYSUCO, so pivotal to the country’s economy, was guilty of too many areas of consistent mis-management and needless extravagance – now, seemingly, the product of corrupt managerial practices and procedures. The losses of GUYSUCO – engineered billions, tend to destablise both the corporation, the industry and the stability the workforce needs in terms of fair wages for battling the weather, working-conditions and external challenges just to meet GUYSUCO’s production targets. Read the rest of this entry »

Invitations are out for the long-awaited opening of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Labour College.

The spanking new three-storey edifice situated behind the GAWU Headquarters at 59 High Street and Wights Lane, Kingston, opens formally on Wednesday afternoon (24-03-10) after a launching ceremony to be chaired by Principal – Navin Chandarpal. Read the rest of this entry »

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, being celebrated on March 8th, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union Women Forum extends warm wishes to all working as well as non working women.

This year, International Women’s Day is celebrated under the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All”. This theme aptly expresses the thoughts of Egyptian philosopher and writer, B. Boutros Ghali who wrote “the human race is a two winged bird – one wing is female, the other is male; unless both wings are equally developed, the human race will not be able to fly.” Read the rest of this entry »

How quickly these annual religious, festive and national celebrations seem to come around. Again, it is time for the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to join the spirit of our Hindu community as it celebrates the joyous occasion of Holi, or Phagwah.

And how all encompassing is the holi Festival with its universal imagery, themes and symbolism! The dawning of Spring represents re-birth and rejuvenation of the fields of life and living; Holika fiery demise denotes the transcendency of all that is good over all that is bad; righteousness over evil intentions, greed and covetuousness. Read the rest of this entry »