Union leaders yesterday condemned the “disrespectful” move by the All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union (ATGWTU) to host its own Labour Day celebrations in Couva.
They made the remarks as they paid homage to labour movement icon Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler at his gravesite at the Fyzabad Public Cemetery at the annual Labour Day wreath-laying.
Standing in front a bust of labour movement icon Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler, however, president of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget said the story of Butler has not been properly told.
“And these days people are attempting to rewrite history. They are attempting for their own political gains to erase off the political landscape of T&T the significant contribution that Butler would have made in our early years of development. Were it not for T&T would not be where it is today. Were it not for Butler those who went into office in May 24, 2010 would not have seen that office.”
Whether it be the Prime Minister, a trade union leader or former union leader turned minister, Roget added: “Today we condemn any action or any attempt to place significance on any other spot of ground than Fyzabad here and Charlie King junction. It exposes the deceitfulness of all of them.”
Also expressing his disapproval with the situation, Communication Workers Union’s education officer Clyde Elder said he felt extremely hurt, disappointed and disrespected because “Fyzabad is the birthplace of the trade union movement and if ever you have to say thanks to anyone on labour day it is thanks to Butler and all of those who struggled in the past.”
Saying it was never to late for the trade union movement to do what Butler did in the 1930s and unite every single worker, he said it would take a revolution of the minds, hearts, thinking and conscience to ensure that labour is protected, advanced and respected by all.
Bankers, Insurance and General Workers Trade Union executive Eric Cabrera said children should be encourage to attent this event and pay homage to Butler.
Union members were also fortunate to hear from one of the few remaining Butlerites, Soogrim Coolman, who was with Butler when he took his last breath.
“I am a witness of what happened at Charlie King junction, all that has been written is not true,” said 87-year-old Coolman who joined with members in singing hymns and labour songs as they paid homage to Butler. Wreaths were also placed on the graves of comrades Neville Taylor, Nicholas Patterson and Eric John. Homage was also paid to La Brea Charles who was shot by police officers after they mistakenly took him for Butler on June 19,1937.