As the showdown between the Government and the joint trade union movement continues, what is emerging is the attempt to forge a labour movement which is based on class consciousness and class struggle.
Editor's note: The above column by Dr Hamid Ghany has been published with the permission of the author. It was reproduced from the Sunday Guardian.
The People’s Partnership Government has expressed the view that it regards the labour movement as a partner of theirs in the aftermath of the 2010 general election. To this end, the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) has two members in the Partnership.
The Political Leader, Errol Mc Leod, who is also the Minister of Labour, and Senator David Abdulah who is the General Secretary of the Oilfields Workers Trade Union (OWTU) are both members of the Partnership.
In recent times, their dual roles as supporters of their colleagues in the trade union movement have been challenged by their identity as Partnership supporters. For the time being, the conflict has not arisen for them to choose because they have been able to play both roles very diplomatically.
If however, the joint trade union movement does decide to go ahead with their threat to call a general strike, one would imagine that McLeod and, moreso, Abdulah may be required to make a choice.
If however, the joint trade union movement does decide to go ahead with their threat to call a general strike, one would imagine that McLeod and, moreso, Abdulah may be required to make a choice.
After all, it would be difficult for them to maintain both positions. Their colleagues in the joint trade union movement would be expecting the support of the MSJ.
The dispute between the joint trade unions and the Government is assuming political dimensions that exceed industrial relations. Shutting down the country and calling for a general strike is an act of major political significance. The extent to which the trade unions get the support of workers will be a function of politics.
What lies at the core of all of this is whether there is the class consciousness that matches the class struggle that the joint trade unions are demanding. This fight is being portrayed as one that excludes the People’s Partnership and the People’s National Movement (PNM).
In essence, it is a fight that is seeking to form a labour movement in isolation from the mainstream political parties.
The challenge here is to determine how much support there is for this struggle? Once the general strike is called, there will be no turning back. That is the last option as there will be nothing else that can be done to turn back the clock.
The challenge here is to determine how much support there is for this struggle? Once the general strike is called, there will be no turning back. That is the last option as there will be nothing else that can be done to turn back the clock.
The Government will have to take political action as national security and the protection of citizens will become a priority. Citizens are being warned to buy candles and also being told that there is another union at WASA which implies that there will be difficulties with the water supply.
Under those conditions, national security will be threatened and at that stage this will become a full-blown political battle and industrial relations would be off the table.
The intention of the unions will be to break the Government’s position on the issue of a 5 per cent cap (as they call it) or a 5 per cent guideline (as the Government calls it). If that action fails, then what recourse will the unions have ? If it succeeds, what form will that success take?
It would appear that the unions are already mobilising for this strike and they are doing so to the exclusion of the Public Services Association (PSA). Just less than six months ago all of these unions were united in their struggle against the Government.
It would appear that the unions are already mobilising for this strike and they are doing so to the exclusion of the Public Services Association (PSA). Just less than six months ago all of these unions were united in their struggle against the Government.
The decision of the PSA to settle the dispute of the public servants with the Government was a game changer for the joint trade union movement.
It was a setback for them and Watson Duke has made it clear that he will not be calling for his members to join any strike with the joint trade union movement. The response of these unions is to argue that “help is on the way.”
That would suggest that they are prepared to challenge the position of the PSA and maybe even undermine their position as the bargaining agents for their existing membership in the public service and at WASA.
Can the country afford 25 wage increases in most of its sectors? The unions are arguing that the economy has performed well and therefore the government can afford it.
Can the country afford 25 wage increases in most of its sectors? The unions are arguing that the economy has performed well and therefore the government can afford it.
The Government is adopting a sectoral approach and is now calling on the trade unions to go and negotiate directly with their employers. Some employers will be able to afford more and others will be able to afford less. It is apparent that the 5 per cent issue is no longer an issue for the Government. If that is so, then the nature of the struggle ought to change.
The images of the United States teetering on the brink of default that was narrowly averted last week and Greece and Ireland in bankruptcy has not helped the cause of the unions from a public relations standpoint.
They must decide whether their continued attack on the magic figure of 5 per cent is in their best interest or should they change the game with a new approach? The Government opened the door with sectoral negotiations.
Editor's note: The above column by Dr Hamid Ghany has been published with the permission of the author. It was reproduced from the Sunday Guardian.
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