Sunday, July 15 2012

THE EDITOR: Trade unions can only be grateful for the words of Senator Helen Drayton in her Sunday column (June 24, 2012) in which she pays tribute to the achievements of trade unions worldwide, and here at home in Trinidad and Tobago. It is even more appreciated when those plaudits come from as influential and disinterested a person as the goodly senator who has no known trade union affiliation.

The voice of the trade union movement does not often get the exposure in the national media as it should except when it comes from the leadership. The nation should be made aware that there are thousands of ordinary people who appreciate the benefits brought to the society by the work of trade unions, most of which goes unrecognised and unheralded.

Much of what is taken for granted by ordinary citizens, such as improvements in workplace safety, training and development, sick leave, personal leave, maternity leave, fair employment practices in respect of recruitment promotion, transfers, discipline and termination, among a multitude of benefits, have been brought about by trade union activism. Where such practices do not exist it is certainly as a result of the absence of a trade union.

Few professions are as noble as trade unionism which continues to struggle against the might of the business profit-takers, and sometimes the government, facing criticism and vilification, often from the people who benefit the most from their work, for little or no personal benefit.

No trade unionist has ever become wealthy from his trade union activities.



KARAN MAHABIRSINGH

Carapichaima