Public Service Association (PSA) president, Leroy Baptiste, noted that nothing has changed in terms of issues facing workers since last year’s Labour Day celebrations.
Speaking during the activities on Monday, Baptiste likened the situation today facing public servants to the days of slavery, adding that the slaves have been replaced by public officers and essential workers, while the indentured servants by all other workers.
He added that slaves and colonial masters had been replaced with the privileged-class, the ruling class and government ministers, while the house negroes were the managerial-class.
Urging workers to fight for their freedom, he said the Industrial Relations Act and Civil Service Act are tools used to shackle workers.
Baptiste said, “This Government, in its quest to keep us enslaved and destroy organised labour and the trade union movement, has weaponised the IRA and CSA, resulting in public officers being made spectators of their own demise. They cannot lift a finger in defence of their jobs.”
Warning that the country is going down a precipice at full speed, Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM), leader Ancel Roget, called on citizens not to be race-baited but consider giving another political party a chance to serve.
“As long as you continue to guarantee them a vote bank to retain power, they will continue to use that power against you. It is clear that you have absolutely nothing to gain by giving them your vote every three years or every five years. Just remember not everybody that looks like you is for you, and therefore do not allow them to conveniently use race to your disadvantage. After getting your votes they have always sold you out and they will just continue to sell you out,” he warned.
He said the unions intend to meet with people in various communities to hear their concerns and address issues facing the country.
Roget called on citizens to join their national struggle to rescue the country.
He said, “While we may have many differences, we have one common enemy.”
Roget also called for an increase in minimum wages from $17.50 to $30 a hour.