Trade Unions celebrate May Day - NO TO SALE OF PARKS say workers
Various unions members took to the streets of Grenville in the 2007 Labour Day celebrations, chanting slogans, proudly in protest against the sale of Grenada’s National Parks.
The march commenced at Progress Park and climaxed at Victoria Park. Members of the various Unions
waved placards displaying anti-goverment slogans; some condemning the sales of our National Parks, some expressing the effects that Grenadians are feeling after the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Some placards called for the video tape and the briefcase, while others called on the Port Manager - Ambrose Phillip to resign. Other placards called on the Prime Minister to walk in Lara’s footsteps and resign over the briefcase issue, while some called for the removal of V.A.T among other things.
Some union members were accompanied by mobile disc jockeys, while others were beating old bucket and chanting songs; yet others were accompanied by a Drum Core. There were songs such as “Hold the fort for I am coming”, while other members were singing, “We want the video tape”; yet other union members were singing “Fire, fire in the wire”.
Eight Unions participated in this years Labour Day celebrations. They were led by the Commercial and Industrial Workers Union, followed by the powerful Chester Humphrey led Technical and Allied Workers’
Union, The Seamen and Waterfront Workers’ Union, The Banks and General Workers’ Union, the Truck Owners and Drivers Association, The Grenada Union of Teachers, The Grenada Manual, Maritime and Intellectual Workers’ Union and the Public Workers; Union. Friends of the Earth-Grenada and some members of the National Democratic Congress including the Opposition Leader, also participated in the parade showing their support for struggling workers.
At the Victoria Park the celebrations took the form of celebratory messages delivered by representative of the the various unions - Rev. Pearson Blackman from the Grenada Conference of Churches asked God’s blessing over the day’s function for the guidance of the Almighty God.
The dead and injured workers were also remembered through the lighting of candles, which was followed by the one minute silent. This was followed by the National Anthem.
The solidarity message was delivered by Sis. Meryl Lord, while Sis. Madonna Harford, President of the Trade Union Council (TUC) addressed the gathering.
