On Monday, June 19, 2006, I was forced out of my bed by my loyal and trusted friends who insisted that I go to Fyzabad with them for the annual Labour Day celebrations.

I was reluctant to attend because I had gotten to sleep a mere three hours before they arrived at my home.

Needless to say, I had a good time.

However, most notable was the division among the labour unions and the poor turnout this year.

ROBERT GUISEPPI of NATUC
addresses the gathering.

Once government realises that labour has been made weak, they will continue to introduce policies that are anti-worker.

The emergence of employment by contract, instead of permanency, has become a potential area of marginalisation of the work force and by extension the labour movement.

The undue delay by the government to proclaim the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was another indication of the contempt this government has for the labour movement.

Many of my PNM friends will disagree with my assessment, but above all else, action speaks louder than words.

This government has also failed to proclaim the Equal Opportunities Bill.

They argue that the Bill is froth with inconsistencies and illegalities.

However, I find it hard to believe that it would take six years to correct any problems.

Proclamation of this Bill would go a long way to preventing employers from discriminating against workers based on political affiliation, race and background.

It will allow for the most talented to be given equal opportunity and for promotion to be based on merit and excellence rather than “who knows you”.

Just in case there is any confusion -- this is not an attack on Errol McLeod and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions (FITUN).

I can equally argue that the same vain utterances are coming from National Trade Union Committee (NATUC) -- a call for unity with nothing else behind it.

The time has come for labour leaders to put their differences (political and personal aside) and consolidate the movement in an attempt to seek workers’ interests.

With a united front, the labour movement can bring to bear significant pressure on the political process, forcing those who vie for power to take note and include in their articulation of policy meaningful workers initiatives such as national insurance, occupational health and safety, education and training.

In the interests of all workers throughout Trinidad and Tobago, I urge the two labour factions to unite.

I end with a quote from Eugene V. Debs who in 1894 said: “Ten thousand times has the labour movement stumbled and bruised itself.

“We have been enjoined by the courts, assaulted by thugs, charged by the militia, traduced by the Press, frowned upon in public opinion and deceived by politicians.

But notwithstanding all this and all these, labour today is the most vital and potential power this planet has ever known, and its historic mission is as certain of ultimate realisation as is the setting of the sun.”