MAY 08

"No Mandela, no cricket, Chester you too hypocrite", was the chant from the membership of the Commercial and Industrial Workers Union (CIWU) during their match last Saturday as part of activities marking Labour Day in Grenada.

Waving placards, the workers protested outside Meaningful Television (MTV) studios on Lagoon Road to their headquarters at Grand Anse. "TUC" (Totally Under Chester Control) ,"Suspension of CIWU by TUC is regrettable," "We cannot only survive on Chest we need body to" were some of the anti Chester Humphrey placards carried by the workers.

The CIWU broke ranks this year and stage its own event after it was suspended from all activities organised by the Trades Union Council (TUC) over its failure to pay its dues. Some workers of the union are accusing Humphrey, the current labour representative in the Upper House and President General of the Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) of playing a crucial role in the CIWU suspension.

Speaking at the rally at its headquarters in Grand Anse, Secretary/Treasurer Barbara Fraser said history was created a few weeks ago among the umbrella movement in Grenada.
She pointed out that after 48 years of existence and 46 of being affiliated the CIWU are not taking part in activities organised by the TUC but instead conducting their own event.

Fraser described the move as "unfortunate" saying her union has always supported the efforts of the TUC and its affiliates. "We are not like the prodigal son who squandered the monies of his father, but we are proud members of the CIWU who invested the monies of the union in the interest of the union's growth and development" Fraser noted.

"We have found ourselves in this position because we have a will to survive as a union and to move forward as a people" the Secretary/Treasurer told the membership. She pointed out that the issue of non payment of fees is unfortunate but that the union had a good reason since it now has its own facilities for which they are grateful.

Fraser promised that the CIWU will continue to work diligently to honour its commitments to the TUC as they have done over the years. She warned workers that the price of development is high and sometimes very painful but they can be assured of success in the end.

"We need to be united, we need to be focus, we need to be militant, we need to support the activities of the CIWU" Fraser stressed. She told the members that they must become more involved in the development process of their union and to take a more pro-active approach which will call for the changing of attitude.

The CIWU official believes that with the movement towards the Free Trade Area of the Americas ( FTAA) and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), the trades union movement need to stay together. She said this is crucial since the unions will be called upon to play a critical role in the realisation of the objective of this regional hemispheric development.

"We need to support each other because workers unity is workers strength" she added. The CIWU staged its event under the theme "Steadfastly Advancing Through Difficult Times".