Dear Editor,
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) will deal with issues as the Congress deems fit, not as dictated by Tacuma Ogunsye or any other. Reference is made to his letter “Mr. Lewis’ engagement in these polemics has been counter-productive to unions and nation’s workers” (SN 9th March 2022). Should he ignore the personal barbs and deal with the issues, he’d be able to account for the stewardship of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) comrades, who held ministerial positions in the last administration as part of an executive power sharing formula. Repeated here for his attention and responses are:
1. Why the Guyana Teachers Union was unable to sign a new Collective Agreement under the direction of a WPA co-leader, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnarine?
2. Why under Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, the Guyana Public Service Union didn’t have a Collective Agreement signed and the Union did not get the return of the Agency Shop which is vital for union functioning?
3. Why the WPA didn’t value the importance of workers’ rights sufficient enough to empower the beleaguered unions?
To accept the WPA, the party of Walter Rodney, was subjected to Cabinet’s decision-making that allowed for the transgression of fundamental rights, as enshrined in Article 147 of the Guyana Constitution and Section 23(1) of the Trade Union Recognition Act, is unacceptable. Rights are non-negotiable and no Cabinet’s decision should contain or prevent workers’ rights from being upheld.
In opposition, the WPA was part of the group that called for the upholding of collective bargaining and the return of the agency shop. These are fundamentals the trade unions are built on, which the WPA ministers did not respect in government. Instead, they appeared comfortable continuing the PPP’s policies of undermining the trade union. Now the party is in the opposition they want to tell the trade union to fight for the same things that they had an opportunity to fix and give but denied workers. The failures and shortcomings of the WPA’s ministers he wants the trade unions to use as a weapon against the governments, based on his dictate of a strategy. The trade union sets its agenda and is answerable to its membership. The political party, whether in opposition or government, is answerable to the society.
On the issue of “shallowness” Ogunseye is in no position of authority to so speak, and should disabuse himself in thinking intellectual credits are earned merely by association. He is in no position to determine and speak with authenticity to the depth of anyone’s intellect. Likewise, he and those he represents, are in no position to accuse others for showing “contempt for workers.” The evidence shows when they had opportunity and authority to bolster the trade union movement they sacrificed the principles for their own political gain and association.
I would advise this adept WPA politician, before using public media to offer “fraternal criticism”, he should better acquaint himself with the named laws, ILO conventions Nos 87 and 98, how the trade union functions, and the role of government to create the enabling environment for good governance, rights and the rule of law to be upheld. There is insufficient time on my part to continue accommodating this discourse with Tacuma when it is evident he is unwilling to address the questions at hand. I, however, close by offering him another opportunity to have his concerns discussed in a friendly environment in the halls of the GTUC or anywhere of mutual convenience.
Sincerely,
Lincoln Lewis
