DR TENNYSON JOSEPH’S recent statement that “unions must free themselves from old political unionism, which used them as handmaidens and footstools of political parties” has little or no foundation on which to stand and he will have a most difficult time substantiating his claim.
The statement implies that unions were simply tools used to serve and appease the whims and fancies of political parties and their leaders.
Since adult suffrage, union leaders in Barbados have achieved much for workers while performing as politicians.
History records Barbadians acquiring the right to vote in 1951 at a time when (Sir) Grantley Adams was president of the Barbados Workers’ Union (BWU) and leader of the Barbados Labour Party.
This was followed by several pieces of legislation that included minimum wages, holidays with pay, sick leave, redundancy pay, pensions, the National Insurance Act, the Shops Act, the Employment Rights Act and a number of others that impacted positively for workers.
Notably, over a period of time the BWU was spearheaded by persons such as (Sir) Frank Walcott, (Sir) Leroy Trotman, Robert Morris and Evelyn Greaves, while O’Brien Trotman and David Bowen were officers of the National Union of Public Workers. These persons and others were members of Parliament who contributed to debates and the passage of labour legislation.
There is ample evidence to show that trade unionists used the political party system to advance the cause of workers.
There is no good reason to run away from it now.
– MICHAEL RAY
