News

Over 1700 BIGWU members were among the 30,000 workers present on the streets of Fyzabad to take part in the 2012 Labour Day Workers' March.

The traditional strength and dominance of the militant and consistent ‘Blue Shirt Army’ of the Energy Sector’s OWTU was overshadowed this year by BIGWU’s overwhelming turnout. UNI affiliates also making a great showing were Telecom Sector Union CWU- Communications Workers Union in khaki and TTPWU- Trinidad and Tobago Postal Workers Union in purple shirts. All Trinidad’s Unions, large and small, joined together to make this year’s celebrations a resounding success and a poignant national statement!

The recent withdrawal of the MSJ -Movement for Social Justice, Labour based Party from the sitting coalition government along with the frustration of many protracted and stalled wage negotiations coupled with the continued and surreptitious imposition of an unjust 5 % cap on wage increases have many workers “seeing red” and anxious to have their voices heard on the issues affecting them.

The recently full term (90 day) strike by the OWTU TCL Trinidad Cement Limited workers, riddled with challenges to the rights of workers and their Union remains fresh in the minds of many workers and TCL striking workers were very strongly supported many Unions on International May Day 2012. Many public sector unions also aired their frustrations with the Partnership Government.

This general industrial unrest would continue unabated promised Labour leaders speaking at the rally. The Labour movement insisted that the principles and issues identified in the Fyzabad Accord signed and agreed by coalition partners of the Peoples Partnership must be respected and acted on by the Government.

The Labour movement strongly contends that it was only through optimising the strong worker support of Trade Unions and the integrity represented by the Labour Movement as key elements of the Campaign, was the People’s Partnership able to rally popular support and win the last general election.

Labour Day 2012, truly a momentous occasion for local Trade Unions marks the 75th Anniversary of the birth of the Labour Movement in Trinidad and Tobago and of the historic events of the 1937 Labour Riots led by labour hero Tubal Uriah ‘Buzz’ Butler.