Bros. & Sis. We have to see May Day as a very important day in the lives of workers. We need to see it as an occasion for strengthening our relationships with each other; that is union to union and member to member.

We should see it as a show of solidarity with each other and a show of greater commitment to the work of our own unions and the Grenada Trades' Union Council. Further, as workers we have to ensure that we are always vigilant as we seek to protect the gains which our forefathers have won for us.

We have to understand that there is no gain in this world without pain and this is what the Trade Union Movement is all about; hard work, sacrifice, pain and gains. For May Day 2006, we need to call to mind the many challenges which we faced as a Trades Union Council since our last May Day Celebration.

Bros. & Sis., TUC and its affiliates spent several months on one of the major issues that of the National Reconstruction Levy. We were at pains to make our concerns known to everyone regarding the implementation of the Levy and the additional hardship it would inflict on workers.

For the TUC, the workers struggle regarding the National Reconstruction Levy had to take centre stage. We made several efforts to no avail to discuss the matter and our concerns with the relevant ministers of government. TUC and its affiliates could not have supported the Levy since we felt it was untimely and burdensome coming on the heels of both Hurricanes Ivan and Emily.

The difficult circumstances our members faced and still continue to face in the aftermath of both hurricanes are enough to justify our claim for the shelving of the Levy. Bros. & Sis, the TUC continues to hold the view that any Levy on the backs of workers while they are undergoing serious personal and reconstruction problems coupled with an extremely high cost of living can lead to abject poverty among the majority of workers and their families in our country.

TUC is very mindful that our country needs the necessary financial resources for reconstruction purposes. Hence the reason, TUC engaged three brilliant economists within the TUC'S family, to advise on a wide range of proposals for alternative mechanisms for generating revenue.

The proposals which were submitted for consideration included the following:

(1). 5%-10% tax on cell phone cards
(2). 10% increase on Land Transfer Tax (in the interim).
(3). 7 % General Consumption Tax on Services (an increase of 2.5 % )
(4). 3 % Tax on Gross Sales of businesses for a short period of 36 to 60 months
(5). the imposition of a 2 1/2 % tax to be collected at the Port excluding basic food items, building materials, medicines and agricultural items.
(6). 10%-15% Capital gains tax.

TUC knows for a fact that if some of the recommended proposals were implemented, the revenue that would have been realized would have far exceeded the revenue to be realized under the National Reconstruction Levy.

Bros. & Sis, the proposals which we submitted are in existence in some form in other CARICOM Countries. Instead of being complimented on our submissions, we were slashed in the most ugly, vulgar and detestable manner.

At present, the NRL is being mediated by the Conference of Churches Grenada. As such, we are not in a position to comment on the process since the CCG will be the sole authority to make any public statements. From time to time you will be informed accordingly by press releases or statements.

This year May Day, Bros. & Sis, is being celebrated under the theme: 'Workers advocating for social and economic advancement through good governance.' The theme which has been well chosen is very consistent with the issues that the labour movement has been advocating for the past few months.

For TUC, good governance is very critical to the economic and social advancement of our people and nation. Good Governance is at the heart of workers struggle and has to be an important ingredient for transparency and accountability. If we have to make sacrifices as workers, when we ourselves are 'catching hell', then our contributions for national reconstruction and development must be spent wisely.

We need to also ensure that we have representation at different levels and on different committees. In addition, we must obtain benefits for the majority of our vulnerable members. Bros & Sis: We must never underestimate our importance as labour in and to our society. Labour is critical to the development of any country, Grenada being no exception.

As we seek to develop our country, we must never fail to make our voices heard on issues that affect us one way or another, positively as well as negatively. As labour our members possess tremendous expertise and technical capabilities in numerous areas, and are known to offer technical and professional advice whenever required.

As labour we have to speak with one voice and ensure that the socio-economic conditions are right in our country for the advancement of our workers. As labour we have to advocate for good governance in our country since without this critical ingredient, the workers whom we represent may find it difficult if not impossible to advance and develop socially and economically.

The GTUC, as the workers representative body in this country, has the right to advocate and agitate, where necessary, for good governance in our country. TUC has to become a watch dog and at the same time partner with other social organisations to ensure that there is good governance.

The small pie which has to be distributed must be done in a just and fair manner irrespective of one's race, religion or political affiliations. In short, none of these factors should be determinants whether a worker succeeds or not. Bros & Sis, all Grenadians are entitled to have an equal opportunity in this dear land of ours because we too are sons and daughters of this nation.

TUC cannot turn its eyes and shut its mouth if our scarce resources are spent unwisely and on areas that we might consider as not particularly necessary!!! We cannot see our national debt increasing way above the acceptable levels and say nothing about it!!!

Just as individuals have the right to exercise prudence in the management of their own personal financial affairs so too our politicians must exercise a similar level of caution in the management of the affairs of our country. For the TUC, good governance will always be an issue for us especially when we see all around us wastage and duplication. With good governance, a developing country like ours can prosper and advance.

Our leaders must be our servants and not masters. They must at all time be accountable to us for their doings on our behalf. We have to ensure that those we elect to public offices are honest, of good character and integrity. Our scarce resources must be properly utilized for the development of our people and nation.

Good governance means the involvement and participation of all. As such consultation is indeed a necessary tool to get our people involved in the planning and development of our country. . Bros. &. Sis: As workers we have to understand that there are issues we must support if we are to protect the gains we have already won or if we are to obtain victory in new areas.

Sometimes it takes your support or non-support to either make or break an issue which can have serious repercussions for other issues to follow. Basically, the message must be solidarity at all times whether you are affected or not. In an organisation like ours, the principle must be, one for all and all for one.

Bros & sis: we are no different from workers in any other part of the world. We must at all times stand up for our rights whenever they are threatened or challenged. We cannot afford to brush aside issues because of fear that we may be identified and labeled as opposition forces or called unchristian and unpatriotic.

TUC is in no one's pocket and as such workers too must not be in any one's pocket. We have always fought battles and will continue to do so irrespective of who the employer is or who the government is. Bros. & Sis. 2006 started with focus on the labour movement as we seek to stem the implementation of the levy on the backs of the working class. Red Protest Day was an indication of workers uniting and what could be achieved when we come together to struggle for a just cause.

To all those workers who came out and showed support for the struggle, we say a special thank you and ask you to keep up the solidarity. We understand that some workers were intimidated in one way or another by some employers.

We also understand that the propaganda which circulated during that period had its effect on some workers, preventing them from participating in Red Day. For us at the TUC, Red Day was a tremendous success. Red Protest Day sent a powerful message that the TUC was not prepared to see workers and their families face additional burdens and hardship following two hurricanes.

To those who believe they can treat workers the way they want! To those who feel they can intimidate workers for personal or selfish interests! To those who feel they have the authority and power to suppress the workers movement! We say to all of you, rethink your strategy!

The workers of our country must be heard, must be consulted, must be respected and treated fairly! The TUC and its members will continue to stand up against issues that are not in the best interest of our workers and the people of our country!

TUC as the workers representative body will speak out on national issues whether those issues directly or indirectly affect workers! We ask the question today. If TUC does not speak out, who will?

Bros. & Sis. The high cost of living is another matter of grave concern to the TUC. We feel the pain of our workers and people of our country before Ivan and moreso after Ivan and Emily. Immediately after Ivan, the prices of everything, and in particular, building materials skyrocketed. We call on those who like to capitalise on every opportunity to stop it.

Remember the cries of the poor and needy may not be heard by you, but will be heard by the Mighty one who has the power to deal with us all in the fullness of time.