Issue#:1 Volume#: 35
Combat Voice of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)
Editorial:
Our own example to divided leaders
Just weeks ago, when 2013 came to a conclusion, the citizens of Guyana, as people everywhere do, wished one another a Happy New Year, and made personal resolutions, most having to do with life’s improvement, and hoped for achievements in 2014. Two months ago, after Old Year’s Night 2013, how are we and Guyana faring at the national level? If we look to the work of our elected representatives in this Parliament, we - both adult and young - could be forgiven for being uninspired, even stressed out over their wrangling. Even court decisions are ignored without recourse to the higher judicial levels. The economy struggles to be buoyant against legislative uncertainties. However, Combat and GAWU must give praise and encouragement where it is due. Government is keeping the macro-economic flag flying! And there are current endorsements from the World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, and other neutral institutions which monitor such matters. A good 2014/15 National Budget is also anticipated. From GAWU’s perspective, the challenge is to fulfil its obligations and responsibilities to its members. A careful glance inside this edition indicates the union’s stewardship. Besides a brief history of GAWU in the February Anniversary month – 38 years of recognition – members and readers will note our Labour College’s relentless drive this year to educate our members to be better qualified union representatives; the union’s role in the investigation following a Skeldon sugar worker’s demise on the job; negotiations on behalf of workers at Caricom Rice Mills Limited; the Union’s expressed concern at the LBIto-Enmore factory dam as a threat to workers, and so on. President Komal Chand’s attendance and participation in the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Presidential Council meeting in Rome, Italy is mentioned to indicate GAWU’s status and international affiliation, which can redound to the benefit of the union’s members at appropriate times. All the foregoing is to demonstrate GAWU’s programme and commitments to its members for yet another year. Members who serve in vital sectors of the economy must also exercise some introspection. Ask what is my role and responsibility to myself, family and community? Who, which group or policy, will hinder my comfort and improvement this year? And what could I, or we collectively, do about those who mislead? The spirit of Cheddi Jagan, our late Honorary President, whose birth anniversary is on March 22, and the brutual passing of Heroine Kowsilla (March 06, 1964), live on and inspire us every March. Combat will continue to inform and educate GAWU’s members. This medium of communication must play a crucial role in ensuring a learned membership, and a workforce enlightened enough not to be misled. COMBAT: January/February, 2014
January/February, 2014
GuySuCo’s recovery requires dramatic turnaround
Empty cane punts (barges) which are used to transport canes from the fields to the factories. Guyana is the only sugar producer in the world in which canes are transported via waterways (canals)
The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) has commenced harvest of its first sugar crop in 2014, following last year’s poor sugar production of 186,807 tonnes, the lowest in the twenty-two (22) years. It has set itself a target of 74,616 tonnes sugar for the current crop. The Minister of Agriculture recently announced the year’s target at 216,000 tonnes. As at week ending February 21, 2014, at the time of going to the press, Enmore Wales and Uitvlugt estates were in operation, and produced 2,379 tonnes sugar. The remaining estates - Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall and Blairmont - will commence operations during week-ending March 01, 2014. The state-owned industry’s poor production, lower cane yield per hectare, and lower tonnes sugar per hectare have served to significantly dent the Corporation coffers. The industry at end of last year bore a debt of almost G$11B. It managed to keep afloat with a G$5B Government bailout last year. Further funding of the industry from the State is required for crucial capital investment. This year, with world market sugar price declining and influencing a lower price in the European Union (EU),
where the Corporation disposes of 190,000 tonnes of its yearly sugar production, the situation is extremely challenging to the stakeholders of the industry. There must be a dramatic turnaround of the Corporation’s performance if it is to remain in shape and form in the next few years. The hierarchy of the Corporation, unable to put right its agronomy practices so far, is inviting farmers to rent on most of its seven (7) estates some of the industry’s arable land to bolster sugar production. How many hectares of cane land will be rented to farmers is yet to be seen, although a few farmers have taken up the Corporation’s offer over the past two years. The present potential of the industry to produce almost 300,000 tonnes sugar is realistic with the adoption, once again, of known best practices. The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU) wants to see all disbursements that are received by the Guyana Government from the European Union under Accompanying Measures’ arrangement dedicated to the industry and fully channelled to the industry to ensure the industry’s rejuvenation and sustainability. Continued on page two
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GAWU and CRML in negotiations The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the management of the Caricom Rice Mills Limited (CRML) commenced negotiations at the Company’s office at Anna Regina, Essequibo, on February 07, 2014. The Union, through its claims, it seeking for the Company to approve an acrossthe-board wage/salary increase of twelve (12) per cent, as well as make improvements to Dust and Heat allowances. CRML’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ossie Davy, who led the Company’s delegation, informed the Union’s team, comprising the General Secretary, Cde Seepaul Narine, and the shop stewards,
of the Company’s poor performance in 2013, which resulted in a loss. He advised that a number of initiatives were being pursued to re-capitalise and improve efficiencies in the company. The CEO also complained of the seeming lack of commitment by the employees. In response to a suggestion from the Company, the Union expressed its support to conclude a multi-year agreement which would encompass an across-theboard increase and a performance incentive, among other things. The parties committed to have the negotiations concluded expectedly by March 31, 2014.
LBI/Enmore road link needs to be upgraded
A damaged section of the dam which facilitates the transportation of canes between the LBI cultivation and the Enmore factory
The earthen dam which facilitates the transportation of canes from the cultivation of LBI estate to the Enmore factory is severely hinders the transportation process at times. Since the close of the factory of LBI Estate, the dam is fully used to transport approximately 60,000 tonnes of canes grown in a cultivation of 1,200 hectares. At times, when the movement of canes from LBI to the Enmore factory ought to take place unhindered, the dam which needs to be made into an all-weather
road, poses serious hinderances because of its impassable state owing to rainfall.
Continued from page one
price for sugar imported by Europe from the ACP countries. The cut was staggered over a four-(4)-year period, beginning in 2006 with a 5 per cent slash; a 9 per cent reduction in 2008; and finally, a 22 per cent cut in 2009. The EU, in efforts to compensate the 18 ACP sugar producing states for the price cuts, has been providing aid, called “Accompanying Measures”, which had required each country to submit to the EU Multi-Annual Adaptation Strategies (MAAS), better known as Sugar Action Plans,
Certainly, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) hierarchy ought to recognize the need for an all-weather road since it decided to close the LBI factory four (4) years ago. Much deterioration of canes running into huge sums is taking place as the cane reaching the factory are at times delayed for long periods. The Corporation should elevate the dam to an all-weather one.
GuySuCo’s recovery requires... There should be a public disclosure on what sum of money was received by the Corporation since the commencement of the Accompanying Measures, and what sum was disbursed to the Corporation to date. The EU has been providing financial support to eighteen (18) African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, following its arbitrary denunciation of the Sugar Protocol and the drastic cut by 36 per cent of the COMBAT: January/February, 2014
Meet your Branch Executives
Delegates to the Skeldon Branch Conference held on February 16, 2014
The Union, in keeping with its Constitution, organises Branch Conferences at each Union Branch annually. At these Conferences, the work of the Branch during the preceding year is reviewed. The Conferences also elect new Branch Committees, which are charged with administering the affairs of the Branch for another year. Since the commencement of the year, a number of such Conferences were completed, and we provide you with the composition of the newly elected Committees: Skeldon Estate Chairman: Deodat Persaud Thakurdin, Vice Chairman: Leon Burnett, Secretary: Uranie Heeram, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Dinesh Persaud; and Committee Members: Shyam Jabar, Ramswamy Khemraj, Stephne Adams, Barbara Cort, Chetranie Edmohamed, Harrinarine Satnarine, Ramnarace Chandradat, Suresh Sheopersaud, Glendon Hazel, Gokhule Lakhram, Bhoj Kumar Karim, Hussain Ally, Herlene Lewis, Hilbert Joseph, Derrick Clarke, Rabindranauth Seenarine, Lennox April, Ken Grant and Andrew Benn. Albion Estate Chairman: Hernie Park, Vice Chairman: Stephen Inderdatt, Secretary: Michael Interdatt, Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer: Bevon Sinclair, Organising Secretary: Ganga Persaud Shivdyal; and Committee Members: Ronrick Munroe, Sandra Permaul, Venkatsammy Siripatty, Sheila Moore, Norma Davis, Odama Corlette, Ingrid George, Jitendra Roopchand and Andrew Veeran. Rose Hall Estate Chairman: Sohanauth Rabindranauth, Vice Chairman: Shiekh Mohammed, Secretary: Charles Cadogan, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Jagdesh Phagoo; and Committee Members: Leslin Southwell, Debra Simon, Maheshwar Arjune, Ramsaywack, Oscar Richardson, Francis Alabi, Nalini Sukhai, Sandra Parris, Kowsilla Ramotar, Rakesh Dhanraj, Hardat
Lal, Inderjeet Persaud, Collette Sinclair, Glen McLeod and Michael Loaknauth. Blairmont Estate Chairman: Julius Nurse, Vice Chairman: Rubraj Singh, Secretary: Bickram Singh, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Shaheed Baksh; and Committee Members: Gowkarran Inderjeet, Abdool, Kumarie Kishore, Lakeram Sookra, Roberto Prettipaul, Narendra Jairam, Simone Fordyce, Nical Hero, Jashoda Kishore, Sieuraj Bridgelall, Rajendra Singh, Shailendra Phagoon, Feddie Francis Budhoo, Nadine Pluck, Wendy Richmond, Sheldon Gardner, Kapil Persaud, Bharat Laljee and Vernie Henry. Estate Demerara Estate Chairman: Sookram Persaud, Vice Chairman: Balkisoon Rambissoon, Secretary: Laloo Teckchand, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Mukesh Udho; and Committee Members: Chetram Narine, Pennylope DeFreitas, Rudolph Gill, Mitchelle Robinson, Rakesh Persaud, Nestor Farell, Vivana Paul, Khemraj Mangal, Imtiaz Ali, Vishnu Lewis and Teckchand Sookdeo. Wales Estate Chairman: Vas Smith, Vice Chairman: Ramnarace Bessesar, Secretary: Rickey Rambeer, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Leo Alleyne; and Committee Members: Michelle Farley, Albert Vieira, Parmand Lakhman, Gobin Persaud, Sharon Williams, Seeramchand Bharat and Clarance Wrights. Uitvlugt Estate Chairman: Abid Hussain, Vice Chairman: Lochan Sookram Khanhai, Secretary: Awad Bhagwandin, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer: Janice Fowler; and Committee Members: Parasram Lallbehari, Abdool Zaman, Seecharan Ram, Mohamed Willie, Rabindranath Kawal, Satwatie Ramlall, Alita Johnson, Helena Broomes, Cheryl Gordon, Abiola Morrison, Roolaram Kussie, Rajnarian Persaud, Bibi Hanif. Page Two
Worker electrocuted Thirteen 5-day courses planned for 2014 at Skeldon Twenty-three-(23)-year-old electri- and General Workers Union (GAWU) cian Ulric Leonard Johnson was elec- and the National Association of Agritrocuted at the Skeldon factory on Jan- cultural, Commercial and Industrial uary 18, 2014 whilst he was cleaning a Employees (NAACIE) and the Chief cubicle which houses Safety and Health Officer a circuit breaker. and the Chief Electrical Electricity supply of Engineer of the Guyana 13,800 volts to the cuSugar Corporation (Guybicle was not severed, SuCo) conducted a twohence the instant (2) day probe into the acdeath of Johnson. Felcident. The investigation low factory workers concluded, among other took strike action for things, that the power suptwo (2) consecutive ply to the cubicle which days following the achouses the breaker was not cident, charging gross switched off to facilitate negligence by the the cleaning of the cubiManagement of the cle. A written report of the Estate for requiring Committee, which is beJohnson to work in a ing compiled, will state its Ulric Leonard Johnson hazardous environfindings and recommendament. tions to avoid similar occurA committee comprising the General rences. Secretaries of the Guyana Agricultural
GAWU fields largest grouping within FITUG’s Mash band
A section of FITUG’s contingent
Some 360 members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), drawn from our membership in the sugar industry, participated in the annual Mashramani celebrations and float parade on February 23, 2014. Members of the Union joined members of the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) under the banner of the Federation of Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) in the annual celebrations. FITUG’s band marched under the theme: “A Future In Togetherness Under the Golden Arrowhead”. Revellers were attired in a rainbow of colours depicting Guyana’s diversity. FITUG’s contingent was awarded second place in the semiCOMBAT: January/February, 2014
costume large category band. GAWU has been participating in the celebrations for many years. This year, for the sixth consecutive time, it has participated in the country’s Mashramani celebrations under the banner of FITUG, which, incidentally, was the only trade union body which has been participating in this national event. GAWU and its umbrella organization, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), see their participation in the more celebratory aspect of the annual Republic Anniversary observances as a tribute to the country’s independent status as a Republic within the Commonwealth of Nations and the larger international community.
The GAWU Labour College
The Labour College of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) continues its education work among union members this year. Thirteen (13) five-(5)-day live-in courses and a number of one-and two-day courses are
to be conducted.
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the nation’s majority trade union grouping, representing 35,000 workers in the strategic sector of the Guyanese economy, joins others concerned stakeholders in calling on the sixty-five (65) members of the National Assembly to swiftly and urgently pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill. The partisan politics exhibited on November 07, 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the original Amendment Bill and the subsequent blacklisting of Guyana by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), need not be repeated again at this critical juncture in Guyana’s history.
ditional unnecessary and lengthy paperwork in order to execute and/or complete transactions.
Since classes commenced at the new College in March, 2010, over 1,200 participants have attended, the overwhelming majority coming from the sugar industry.
Absence of Anti-Money Laundering Bill will harm the poor
FITUG’s members, some of whom are among the recipients of remittances from abroad, will undoubtedly be affected. We understand that money transfers may take longer, and fees for such transactions will rise as well. Also, the threat of international financial institutions ceasing to conduct business in our country will restrict the conduct of transactions. Such an occurrence will require persons having to travel further, or maybe paying exorbitant fees in order to conduct money transfers or to receive remittances. These impediments are not easily overcome by persons with limited resources. Further sanctions, we are told, will cause citizens being required to complete ad-
Importantly, the jobs of FITUG members could be jeapordised if businesses, within an acceptable time frame, are unable to secure imported raw materials and inputs to facilitate operations. If businesses close their doors, the social impact will be grave. The housing industry, largely supported by the working-class, and being a creator of thousands of jobs ranging from truckers to labourers, to carpenters, to even food vendors who prepare food at various construction sites, will suffer greatly from further blacklisting of Guyana arising from the non-passage of the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill. At this point in our nation’s history, we join the chorus of concerned stakeholders to appeal to our Parliamentary representatives, and moreso the members of the Special Select Committee charged with reviewing the amendments, to work in the interest of the workers of Guyana. Further sanctions at this time could serve to reverse the many gains of the workingclass over the years. The threat of job losses cannot be underscored. Our workers, among other things, deserve a decent standard of living. Page Three
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85 Billionaires and the Better Half
The world’s 85 richest individuals possess as much wealth as the 3.5 billion souls who compose the poorer half of the world’s population, or so it was announced in a report by Oxfam International. The assertion sounds implausible to me. I think the 85 richest individuals, who together are worth many hundreds of billions of dollars, must have far more wealth than the poorer half of our global population. How could these two cohorts - the 85 richest and 3.5 billion poorest - have the same amount of wealth? The great majority of the 3.5 billion have no net wealth at all. Hundreds of millions of them have jobs that hardly pay enough to feed their families. Millions of them rely on supplements from private charity, and public assistance when they can. Hundreds of
millions are undernourished, suffer food insecurity, or go hungry each month, including many among the very poorest in the United States. Most of the 3.5 billion earn an average of $2.50 a day. The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for just 5 percent of all global income. About 80 percent of all humanity live on less than $10 a day, and the poorest 50 percent maintain only 7.2 percent of the world’s private consumption. How exactly could they have accumulated an amount of surplus wealth comparable to the 85 filthy richest? Hundreds of millions live in debt even in “affluent” countries like the United States. They face health care debts, credit card debts, college tuition debts, and so on. Many, probably most who own homes— and don’t live in shacks or under bridges or in old vans—are still straddled with
mortgages. This means their net family wealth is negative, minuszero. They have no propertied wealth; they live in debt. Millions among the poorest 50 percent in the world may have cars, but most of them also have car payments. They are driving in debt. In countries like Indonesia, for the millions without private vehicles, there are the overloaded, battered buses, poorly maintained vehicles that specialize in breakdowns and ravine plunges. Among the lowest rungs of the 50 percent are the many who pick thru garbage dumps and send their kids off to work in grim, soul-destroying sweatshops. The 85 richest in the world probably include the four members of the Walton family (owners of Wal-Mart, among the top ten superrich in the USA) who together are worth over $100 billion. Rich families like the DuPonts have controlling interests in giant corporations like General Motors, Coca-Cola, and United Brands. They own about forty manorial estates and private museums in Delaware alone, and have set up 31 tax-exempt foundations. The superrich in America and in many other countries find ways legal and illegal - to shelter much of their wealth in secret accounts. We don’t really know how very rich the very rich really are. Regarding the poorest portion of the world population—whom I would call the valiant, struggling “better half ”— what mass configuration of wealth could we possibly be talking about? The aggre-
gate wealth possessed by the 85 superrichest individuals and the aggregate wealth owned by the world’s 3.5 billion poorest are of different dimensions and different natures. Can we really compare private jets, mansions, landed estates, super luxury vacation retreats, luxury apartments, luxury condos, and luxury cars - not to mention hundreds of billions of dollars in equities, bonds, commercial properties, art works, antiques, etc against some millions of used cars, used furniture, and used television sets, many of which are ready to break down? Of what resale value, if any, are such minor durable-use commodities, especially in communities of high unemployment, dismal health and housing conditions, no running water, no decent sanitation facilities, etc? We don’t really know how poor the very poor really are. Millions of children who number in the lower 50 percent never see the inside of a school. Instead they labour in mills, mines and on farms, under conditions of peonage. Nearly a billion people are unable to read or write. The number of people living in poverty is growing at a faster rate than the world’s population. So poverty is spreading even as wealth accumulates. It is not enough to bemoan this enormous inequality, we must also explain why it is happening. But, for now, let me repeat: the world’s richest 85 individuals do not have the same amount of accumulated wealth as the world’s poorest 50 percent. They have vastly more. The multitude on the lower rungs—even taken as a totality—have next to nothing.
By Charles Sullivan The corporate media would have us believe that the US is in the midst of an economic recovery. The US President cites the number of jobs created, and speaks optimistically about America’s economic future. For instance, since the 2007 recession, the greatest crisis of capitalism in 75 years, corporate profits have risen, CEO salaries and bonuses are at record levels, and the stock market is soaring. By contrast, workers’ wages have stagnated for more than four decades, benefits are either few or non-existent, and workers are encumbered with debt that forces them to perform multiple jobs— if they can find them—in order to survive. According to economic forecaster Gerald Celente, 90 percent of the jobs created in 2013 were part-time, most of them paying low wages and providing no ben-
efits. Student loan debt exceeds $1.1 trillion, a number that surpasses the combined credit card liability of the nation. Even the unemployment figures are deceiving. According to the latest government data, unemployment is at 6.7 percent. In reality, that number is probably closer to 17 or 18 percent, according to economist Richard Wolff. Students, many of them burdened with immense debt are entering a job market that makes it difficult for them to earn a decent living. This is the economic minefield that workers across America must navigate. A little truth might help them find their way and comprehend why this is happening. One of the many reasons we face such a bleak economic future is the implementation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In 1992, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was implemented
between the governments of the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was promoted in the commercial media as an engine for job creation in the United States, an assertion that is contradicted by the facts. According to Wolff, more than 700,000 jobs fled the country as the result of NAFTA, many of them providing middle class incomes and benefits. Those jobs are never coming back. It is not just the number of jobs created that matter, it is the quality of those jobs that is a predictor of economic success. Furthermore, the mass movement of U.S. corporations to Mexico wrecked the already struggling Mexican economy, particularly its sustainable, locally-based businesses. The situation initiated a mass migration of immigrant Mexican workers to the U.S. in search of better-paying jobs. The quantifiable effect that NAFTA has had on the U.S. workers is staggering
job loss, reduced wages, and increasing economic disparity. Now, with the backing of corporate lobbyists, yet another FTA—the TransPacific Partnership (TPP)—is being fasttracked through Congress. Both Democrats and Republicans are enthusiastically backing the legislation. If enacted, TTP will permit privatelyowned corporations to have hegemony over the governments of sovereign nations. FTAs belligerently put corporate profits before the legitimate needs of the people and the welfare of the biosphere. The implications for students and working class people will be profoundly detrimental. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will flee the country, wages will fall yet again, autonomy will be lost, and the job market will resemble the wreckage of the Hesperus.
An urban slum in Hanoi, Vietnam
by Michael Parenti
America’s Third World Trade Agreements
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Ukraine Protests Carefully Orchestrated: The Role of CANVAS, US-Financed “Colour Revolution Training Group”
Riot police shield themselves during clashes in central Kiev on February 18, 2014
By F. William Engdahl The recent protests in Ukraine have the stench of a foreign-orchestrated attempt to destabilize the government of Viktor Yanukovych after he walked away from signing an EU Association Agreement that would have driven a deep wedge between Russia and Ukraine. Glamorstar boxer-turned-political-guru, Vitaly Klitschko, has been meeting with the US State Department, and is close to Angela Merkel’s CDU political machine in Germany. The EU association agreement with Ukraine is widely resisted by many EU member states with deep economic prob-
lems of their own. The two EU figures most pushing it—Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski—are both well known in the EU as close to Washington. The US is strongly pushing the Ukraine EU integration, just as it had been behind the 2004 failed “Orange Revolution” to split Ukraine from Russia in a bid to isolate and weaken Russia. Now Ukrainians have found evidence of direct involvement of the Belgrade US-financed training group CANVAS behind the carefullyorchestrated Kiev protests. Canvas, formerly Otpor, received significant money from the US State De-
partment in 2000 to stage the first su c c e ss ful Color Re volution against Slobodan Milosovic in thenYugoslavia. Since then, they have been transformed into a full-time “revolution consultancy” for the US, posing as a Serbian grass-root group backing “democracy.” Who would ever think a Serbian-based NGO would be a front for US-backed regime change? Direct sources in Kiev that I have contacted report that with money the antigovernment protestors have been recruited from among university students and the unemplyed to come by bus into the heart of Kiev. The revealing aspect is the spectacular emergence of champion boxer Vitaly Klitschko as presumably the wise politician guiding Ukraine’s future. No doubt, spending your career beating other boxers unconscious is a superb
preparation for becoming a statesman, though I, for one, doubt it. It reminds of the choice of a low-grade Hollywood movie actor, Ronald Reagan, as President. But more interesting about “opposition” spokesman Klitschko is who his friends are. Klitschko is being backed by US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. Nuland, former US Ambassador to NATO, is a neo-conservative who is married to leading neo-conservative hawk, Robert Kagan, and was herself a former adviser to Dick Cheney. Klitschko is also very friendly with German Chancellor Merkel. According to a recent Der Spiegel report, Merkel wants to support Klitschko in his bid to become Ukraine’s president in 2015. More evidence that a darker agenda lies behind the “democracy” opposition is the fact that the demands of the protestors went from demanding accession to the EU to demanding the immediate resignation of the Yanukovich government. Klitschko and the opposition used an unfortunate police crackdown on protesters to massively expand the protest from a few hundred to tens of thousands. On December 18, the government partly took the wind out of the Klitschko sails by signing a major economic agreement with Moscow in which Russia agreed to cut the price of Russian gas exported to Ukraine by a third, down to $268.5 per 1,000 cubic metres from the current level of more than $400, and to buy $15 billion of Ukraine’s debt in eurobonds. That gives Ukraine breathing room to avoid a sovereign debt default and calmly negotiate over its future.
Vicious Global Warming feedback loop worse than feared
The melting of the arctic ice has increase in the last years, and poses many challenges
By Jacob Chamberlain One of nature’s key defences against global warming—the reflection of the sun’s rays away from Earth by Arctic sea COMBAT: January/February, 2014
ice—has fallen victim to... global warming. And according to a study published the vicious feedback loop is worse than had been previously thought.
The new research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that the ability of the Arctic ice to reflect sunlight—known scientifically as albedo—has decreased dramatically since 1979, with the calculations showing the region’s ability to reflect sunlight diminished more than twice what previous studies have shown. As less of the sun’s rays are reflected back into space, the open ocean absorbs more heat, leading to additional ice melt in the region. The problem is both self-feeding and a source of deep concern for scientists and those concerned about climate change. “That is big – unexpectedly big,” said the study’s lead author Ian Eisenman, a climate scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California, on the rate
of loss. “Arctic sea ice retreat has been an important player in the global warming that we’ve observed during recent decades.” And Mark Flanner, a climate researcher at the University of Michigan, told the New Scientist that the study “reaffirms that albedo feedback is a powerful amplifier of climate change, maybe even more so than is simulated by the current crop of climate models.” The report is the first to use satellite measurements dating back to 1979 to gauge decreasing sunlight reflection in the region. The amount of Arctic warming caused by this phenomenon now amounts to roughly one-quarter of the total warming caused by the greenhouse effect, said the researchers. Page Five
GAWU Republic Day message
Republic Day is usually observed with the annual Mashramani celebration in Georgetown. It includes a parade, music, games and cooking
The start and run-up to the culmination of the Mashramani “Season” sometimes tend to submerge the main event, which is really the annual observances of Guyana’s Republican status. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has nothing against the fun, frolic and creativity surrounding the Mashramani component of this national anniversary. However, as a major representative of the country’s labour movement, and the bargaining agent for thousands of workers from various vital sectors of the economy, GAWU is obliged to attempt to assess just what forty-four (44) years as a Republic has delivered for the working class. Workers, especially the humble, hardworking labourers, factory-workers, agricultural harvesters, heavy duty drivers, the hundreds of ladies in the seafood and commercial sectors, among others, represent the base and foundation of any economy. GAWU will never disrespect the role of academics, teachers, nurses, lawyers, architects, engineers and other professionals. All are needed to manifest levels of production largely left to the toils of the lower levels. Obviously there must be collaboration at all levels for productivity and economic progress to be sustained. Guyana’s two major political parties provided the governments between the Republic Year of 1970 and the year 1992, twenty-two years; then from 1992 to the present, another twenty-two years. What COMBAT: January/February, 2014
then has been the socio-economic legacy after the past forty-four (44) years? To be fair, the PPP/C governments, through worker-friendly legislation, have provided an enabling environment,for effective worker representation. Whether today’s trade unions are properly organized, structured and funded to be effective is another story. From GAWU’s perspective, the most negative occurrence in the recent history of the Republic is the real, clear and present danger to Guyana’s sugar industry, which employs thousands of our members. The blame game can never restore the fortunes of this lifeline economic industry. A revamped GuySuCo board and management skill sets; motivation for harvesters and factory workers to return to the fields, and ancillary projects, among other things, all must combine to bring sugar back. Elsewhere in the Republic, GAWU sees the need for political dialogue at the highest levels to resolve differences affecting the productive management of the state, its resources and governance. Selfish “victories” should not prevent brilliant minds from both sides of the aisle to bargain agreements to overcome parliamentary, budgetary, legislative, or even judicial challenges. The 2011 electorate expects nothing less from our parliamentary legislators and political representatives. GAWU therefore urges sober reflection and wise, peaceful counsel amongst all citizens during and after the joyous celebration of Republic Day 2014.
FITUG in solidarity with Venezuela
Venezuelan opposition protesters in conflict with the security forces
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) extends solidarity with the democratically elected Government of President Nicolas Maduro Moros and the people of Venezuela. In this regard, we support the management of the first pro-working class Government of Venezuela, at the helm of which is President Nicolas Maduro Moros. We, of FITUG, recognize the great efforts made by the Government to ensure the welfare of the Venezuelan people and the several major benefits enjoyed by them. The FITUG condemns the violent events that occurred on February 12, 2014 and the subsequent days. We are aware that the violence unleashed is caused by groups of the right-wing opposition who seek to discredit the policies of the elected revolutionary Government. The forces that constitute today’s opposition, one should recall, held the power in Venezuela for many years. In these years, little of Venezuela’s oil wealth went to alleviate the hardships and to enhance the quality of life of the Venezuelan people. From the Chavez period to now, with President Maduro’s leadership, the wealth of Venezuela has increasingly been put to better the lives of the people. This can now be seen in a wide range of social programmes in the fields of health, housing, labour, education, distribution of land, credits, social security and food security, among others. The violence that has erupted in several locales and in the streets of parts of Caracas is clearly an attempt by the reactionary opposition to regain lost ground and control of the country’s oil wealth. We also take note of reports that indicate the
hand and promptings of external forces in the violence – experiences of which are also known in Guyana’s territory. The FITUG supports the Government of Venezuela in its legitimate right to govern according to constitutional principles and laws, with peace, equity, social justice for a pro-people, socialist democracy, and without interference of foreign countries in its internal affairs. Also, the Government of Guyana issued a statement as follows:“The Government of Guyana stands in solidarity with the Government of Venezuela and fully supports its efforts at withstanding acts of destabilisation. The Government of Guyana hopes that peace and normalcy will soon prevail in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”. A solidarity statement was also issued by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The statement, which called for peace and expressed solidarity, said, among other things:“The PPP applauds the enormous economic and social gains made by the Venezuelan Government under the charismatic leadership of the late Hugo Chavez, and now President Maduro on behalf of the Venezuelan people, in particular the ordinary working people.”’ “The current unrest in Venezuela has to be seen in that context. The party calls on the opposition forces to respect the will and the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, and to desist from all attempts to incite violence and unrest in the society.” Page Six
GAWU President attends WFTU Presidential Council meeting
GAWU President Cde Komal Chand addressing the meeting
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), through its President, Cde Komal Chand, attended the Presidential Council meeting of the World Federation of Trade Unions, held on February 14 - 15, 2014 in Rome, Italy. The meeting brought together Presidential Council members from all corners of the globe, and reviewed the struggles of the working peoples in the world since the last meeting which was held in Peru last March. Delegates will also discuss and approve the Organisation’s Action Plan 2014 – 2015. GAWU’s President, in his participation, delivered the following address:“On behalf of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), I bring to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) Presidential Council, and in particular Union of Auditors of Base (USB), warmest greetings of solidarity. Meeting at this time affords me the opportunity to extend to all participants of this Council meeting best wishes for the New Year. Our 21st century has turned fourteen (14). The ‘New World Order’ which was heralded at the end of the previous century has revealed its horrid and inhumane forms. As we are well aware, this ‘Order’ is really ensuring the perpetuation and continuing domination of the capitalist/imperialist system. It is a system we know all too well. Karl Marx, and later Lenin, analysed its underpinnings, and those analyses still serve us, a major segment of the international working class, as a guide in our general struggles and in the changing circumstances and specific conditions. Though exposed, discredited, and widely rejected today, capitalism/imperialism’s grip on the ‘World Order’ remains tight. Indeed, in several respects, we are seeing its deathly tentacles enmeshing other COMBAT: January/February, 2014
countries, and its voracious appetite for profits and strategic resources, regardless of the consequences, not diminishing. All of this again confirms to the view that the ruling exploiting class will stop at no crime to protect and further its social status and economic interests. As we start a new year, we need to remain focused on those features of our day that have occasioned such great disasters while pushing our world inexorably towards a dangerous precipice. Capitalism’s economic crisis, which is having a dire impact on the lives of workers and their dependents, on our youth and their future, and on pensioners, is still very much with us. Wars of aggression remain on imperialism’s agenda, and we see the carnage and the extent of violence in the wake of the ‘humanitarian missions’ carried out by the US-NATO military forces, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. Drone attacks continue to take a toll on children, women and civilians in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Concern is growing over France’s military assertiveness in Africa, which one plausible view contends, is to secure its geo-political sphere while seeking to ensure that the strategic resources of those countries it occupies are not encroached upon by US or other corporations. President Obama’s “Asian Pivot” is taking shape and is seemingly revolving around an increase of US military presence and activities in the Pacific region, and the pursuit, in relative secrecy, of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade agreement. With respect to Syria, the search for peace and solutions in Geneva proved elusive, and the proxy war in the country goes on with largely foreign mercenaries fuelled and financed by certain reactionary regimes, with horrible crimes committed and disastrous consequences for Syria and the Syrian people.
A notable development in recent months is the exposure of the global surveillance conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA) of the US and its other partners in the ‘Five Eyes’ club. Several world leaders and the entire world’s people are spied upon. We must forcefully condemn and fight this latest assault on people’s liberties and rights. We must be mindful of the installation of various mechanisms which will serve the hegemonic dreams of the capitalist rulers and their agents. Apart from the far-reaching implications of this development also, let us point out that the very countries which endlessly proclaim, especially to the developing world, to be the foremost promoters of ‘democracy’, ‘rule-of-law’, ‘human rights’, ‘freedoms’, etc have turned out to be, as it suits them, principal violators of those lofty values of human civilization. Clearly, our world continues to be in a grave state. Whether the issues are socioeconomic, wars and war crimes, ecological, looting of resources, disregarding international laws, undermining of rights and liberties, destabilization of countries and promotion of extreme-right and fascists forces in countries, much of the blame can be placed at the door steps of the capitalist/imperialist system, helped along by its allies and vassals, main sections of the media and timid political leaders. Despite the economic, military and media power at its disposal, the capitalist system is being challenged on several fronts. The forces advocating change are growing. There is vitality in the resistance and struggles mounted by the workingclass, democratic and broad progressive forces both in the developed and developing world. Of the range of issues before us, inequality and unemployment rose to the fore of recent. Both are vexing issues for the working people. The latest Oxfam reports tells us, for instance, that the wealth of the richest one (1) per cent in the world amounts to $110 trillion, or 65 times as much as the poorest half of the world. No doubt, it is such stark realities of today that prompted Pope Francis to identify inequality as the main source of social
ills, and which needs to be addressed. As the world’s richest grow richer, the number of unemployed, on the other hand, is also growing, says the ILO, which points out that some 839 million workers lived with their families on less than US$2 in 2013. In spite of the machinations of imperialism and its puppets, the general democratic struggles are moving ahead. The election results in Chile and in Venezuela’s local elections, as well as the preliminary results in El Salvador and Costa Rica, in recent weeks show that the progressive trend in Latin America and the Caribbean remains viable. The declaration from the just concluded Community of Latin American and Caribbean States’ (CELAC) meeting of thirty-three (33) countries, held in Cuba, revealed that committment to peace and solidarity with Cuba was, in essence, anti-imperialist. In these peoples’ struggles, the working class plays a major, often a leading, role. The WFTU has been consistent in its support to and solidarity with the genuine struggle of working peoples. The prospect that there will be an increase of these struggles is ever present. In such circumstances, and as a highly respected world organization, the WFTU must be ready to handle the fresh demands that it may be called upon to shoulder. Undoubtedly, our past experiences throughout our long and rich history will serve us well in our future struggles. Next year (2015), we will observe our seventieth (70th) anniversary. History informs us that among the many representatives at the foundation Congress, there were two (2) from Guyana ;and since then, our bonds remain intact and have become stronger. The work programme for 2014 covers much, but it underlines the extent of the work on hand and before us. In our favour is the sharpening of the working class struggle in various regions. Moreover, we should find it encouraging that, more and more, the call for socio-economic changes is heard in various quarters. Let us be reminded that unity of the diverse forces active today will strengthen the drive for profound change, and we need to work to this end. 2014 holds out great promise for the WFTU and the world’s working-people to advance to peace, economic justice and an alternative world order. Unitedly, let us continue to work towards these objectives. Let unity and struggle continue to guide us!
“Capitalist barbarism, crisis and Imperialist wars, or socialism” Page Seven
GAWU observes 38 years of recognition Estate instructed a scabdriven tractor to traverse the bridge, causing Kowsilla’s death and serious injury to fourteen (14) others. After much struggle and protests the SPA, at last, decided to have a poll conducted by the Ministry of Labour on Old Year’s Day 1975. The result of the poll vindicated GAWU’s claim that it had overwhelming support of the sugar workers. Of the 21,655 votes cast by workers, the MPCA ignominiously received 376, or 1.71 per cent; 92, or 0.42 per cent were deemed Representatives of GAWU and the Sugar Planters Assocation spoilt; and GAWU deservsigning the Recognition Agreement on February 27, 1976 edly obtained 21,487, or 97.87 per cent of the votes. Thirty-eight (38) years ago, on February 27, the Guyana In our annals, it must be indelibly recorded that the Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was culmination of the long and hard struggle for GAWU’s officially recognised by the Guyana Sugar Corporation recognition is inextricably linked to the advice and lead(Guysuco), then the Sugar Producers Association (SPA), ership given by the Union’s then Honorary President, as the bargaining agent of the field and factory workers Dr Cheddi Jagan. As a foremost politician and a trade of the sugar industry. The many battles for recognition of GAWU in the sugar unionist, he tirelessly advocated for GAWU’s recogniindustry spanned almost three (3) decades. At that time, tion in the Legislature, in the street corners, and in pathere was no law to compel an employer to recognise a pers presented at foreign and local fora whenever he reUnion of the workers’ choice, and thus sugar workers ferred to workers’ struggles for betterment and changes. and GAWU were forced to employ confrontational and Indeed, Cde Cheddi was an outstanding colossus who antagonistic actions, from time to time, in the struggle rendered relentless support to the workers in the long for union recognition. The SPA had the then incumbent and bitter recognition struggle. Since GAWU’s recognition in 1976, workers from many Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA) in its bosom, occupations have turned to GAWU for union represenit is said, a few years after that union became the rectation. The Union today, undoubtedly the largest Union ognised bargaining agent in 1939. The workers’ strugin the Caribbean, represents twenty thousand (20,000) gle for a new union started with the Guiana Industrial workers drawn from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Workers Union (GIWU), which was formed in 1946. (Guysuco), the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund One of the early highpoints in GIWU’s support of sugar (SILWFC), the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), workers was in the 1948 struggle of the workers at Non Caricom Rice Mills Limited, BEV Processors Inc, NoPareil, Lusignan and Better Hope, to address the then ble House Seafoods, the Demerara Timbers Limited, the imposition of the cut-and-load system in the place of Guyana Forestry Commission, the Demerara Harbour the cut-and-drop system. The objective of the strike also Bridge Corporation, the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary included recognition of GIWU by the planters, and the protestation against the miserable working and living Agricultural Development Authority, the National Parks conditions in the sugar belt. That struggle ended when Commission, and the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. To make the Union’s name reflective of its growing five (5) sugar workers were cold-bloodedly killed and membership outside of the sugar industry, at the Unfourteen (14) others injured on June 16, 1948 by the coion’s 8th Congress, in 1978, the Union’s name was finally lonial police, who collaborated with the sugar planters. changed to the Guyana Agricultural and General WorkGIWU did not survive beyond a few years. Soon afers Union (GAWU), but the acronym “GAWU” was reter 1955, it became fully defunct following a split within tained because it has become a household name in Guythe leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) ana. During the last 38 years, GAWU has had to advance in 1955. Another challenging Union, the Guiana Sugar the pay levels of its members, represent improvement of Workers Union (GSWU), was formed and registered in their conditions of work, and obtain better fringe ben1961. It was renamed the Guyana Agricultural Workers efits for them. Representation outside of the walls of the Union (GAWU) in 1962. GAWU continued the struggle employers has not been neglected, since GAWU does for union recognition. The sugar planters were deternot restrict itself to struggle within the sphere of economined not to recognise GAWU despite the fierce struggle mounted by the Union and the sugar workers. There mism. Because of the massive role of sugar in the country’s were strikes called by GAWU which at times closed or economy, its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domesseriously affected the functioning of the industry for tic Product, its being a net foreign exchange earner, its days, weeks and months. employment of 18,000 Guyanese, and the militancy of Another important incident in the recognition strugits workforce, many politicians attempted to organize gle was the death of Kowsilla. On March 06, 1964, outthe sugar workers away from GAWU. They saw that side the Leonora Factory gate, she squatted with striking sugar workers would enhance their political aspirations. sugar workers who were protesting against their denial Sugar workers, however, aware of GAWU’s commitment of work and at the same time highlighting their call for and ardent work which resulted in improvement of their the recognition of GAWU. The General Manager of the
welfare, have not allowed themselves to be fooled, and they remain fully supportive of GAWU. No efforts are spared in the organizational building of the Union. The functioning of groups and branches of the Union is promoted to empower rank-and-file members in their involvement to address issues, especially at their workplaces. Of utmost importance, the Union ensures that in every decision taken with regard to pay rise, working conditions, and securing of new fringe benefits, the workers in every bargaining unit of the Union are fully involved in negotiations with their employer through their shop stewards or representatives. Not only were attempts made to woo away GAWU members and to divide the unity of the workers for some politicians’ selfish aggrandizement. Two threats have been made to GAWU as a recognised union in the sugar industry. There was an attempt by the Hoyte Administration in 1988, when GuySuCo suspended its relationship with the Union for about two (2) weeks, and starved the Union financially through the non-deduction of union dues. Opposition to the Government’s action and the fear of reprisal by the Union’s membership caused GuySuCo to restore its relationship with the Union. Three (3) years ago (2010), the Union came under intense pressure as it heightened its struggle to secure an appropriate pay rise for its members in the sugar industry, noting the escalation of the cost of living. Unionsupported industrial action attracted criticism from the Government, and in December 2010, the Corporation issued a written threat to derecognize the Union. The Union immediately galvanized support against the Corporation from the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), its members and friends, and thus the then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, recognizing the dangerous situation which might evolve, and made an unambiguous statement that GAWU would never be derecognized while he served as President. Apart from genuine representation and negotiated benefits secured from employers by way of collective bargaining, the union also offers bursary awards, and a death benefit and credit union facilities. It publishes a bi-monthly newspaper, Combat, which is distributed to Union members and to Unions, libraries, fraternal unions etc. The Union also maintains a proud record of accountability. Since its recognition, the Union has never failed to have its yearly accounts audited promptly by the Auditor General. Education of its members is treated as a high priority. The Union, in March 2010, commissioned a Labour College – the GAWU Labour College – which boasts dormitory facilities for 35 persons, two classrooms, and a library among its facilities. It replaces the Union’s School which was destroyed by fire during the 2001 post-national and regional elections’ disturbances. The College is being used to impart labour education to the Union’s rank and file and has faciliated about 1,200 workers since its commissioning. At the international level, GAWU is an affiliate of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), which has a membership of 80 million in 120 countries; and to the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Association (IUF), which represents 336 organisations in 120 countries and comprises a membership of some 12 million workers. Locally, GAWU is an affiliate of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). The unions affiliated to FITUG are organized in many strategic sectors of the country’s economy, and they represent approximately thirty-five thousand (35,000) of the fifty thousand (50,000) unionized workers in the country.
COMBAT is a publication of the Guyana Agricultural & General Workers Union (GAWU) 59 High Street & Wights Lane, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana, S.A. Tel: 592-227-2091/2; 225-5321 , 223-6523 Fax: 592-227-2093 Email: gawu@bbgy.com Website: www.gawu.net