1. 1
ADDRESS BY GENERAL PRESIDENT OF THE CLERICAL &
COMMERCIALWORKRS UNION, Bro. SHERWOOD CLARKE, ON THE
OCCASION OF THE OPENING SESSION OF THE 4TH
TRI-ENNIAL
DELEGATES CONFERENCE OF THE CLERICAL & COMMERECIAL
WORKERS UNION AT CARA LODGE, GEORGETOWN
SATURDAY AUGUST 20, 2016
Honourable Prime Minister, Moses NagamootooM.P. -GuestSpeaker,
Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic
Corps, Fellow Members of the Executive Committee of the CCWU, Leaders of
Trade Unions, Delegates and Observers, Captains of Industry, Brothers and
Sisters……
I wish to thank everyone for their presence here this evening as we, members
and executives of the Clerical & Commercial Workers Union, pause for a day
to reflect on our performance as a union over the past three years and plan for
the years ahead. We are all grateful for your kind consideration of our
invitation to share this opening sessionwithus. Thank youvery much for being
here.
Introduction
Sixty-sixty-eight years ago a group of workers in the city’s commercial sectorhad
a vision of strengthening their hands against a powerful united group of proprietors

2. 2
the likes of Sprostons, Sandbach Parker, Bookers and many others who were very
influential, not only in commerce, but also in the corridors of power in this country.
It is imperative that workers must know their roots if our lives are to be meaningful
fulfilled. Learning and assimilating the history ofour organizations and the struggles
of our heroes cannot be over-emphasised. We must learn from our failures and
glorify our successes if we are to be able to advance to the greatest heights of
achievement. And others must know our history too so that they also will grow to
appreciate the contributions that we all have made to the development and
advancement of our people as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee of Independence as
nation.
Once we know our roots and others appreciate our efforts, we will grow to respect
one another and together we can build a free and harmonious society capable of
ensuring that each and every one of us experience happiness here on earth.
The existence of strong and vibrant trade unions is essential to the well-being of our
society, particularly at this time as Guyana reaches out in earnest to attract Foreign
Direct Investment, which has the potential to attract investors who are not familiar
with our industrial relations culture. Most of our recent foreign investors came in
search of fast money in the extractive sector, and from my experience, people going
after fast money are not angels; their presence most often demand an established
social setting in which economic growth can be achieved within the framework of
the culture and aspirations of the country in which they operate. Therein lies the role
of the trade union movement.
That is why, I believe, our constitution guarantees the right of trade unions to exist
and envisages for us active and constructive involvement in all sectors of national
life. They are, of course, the workers’ organizations, with a mandate to defend and

3. 3
promote the interests of our members and the working people generally. The labour
movement will always be a prominent structure in our way of life in Guyana. It is
therefore in the national interest that trade unions should flourish.
There is enormous scopeforus to increase our prestige and authority in our country.
But our ability to seize this opportunity depends upon how well we can organize
ourselves to give responsible leadership, and represent properly the views of the
workers, and conceptualize and implement programmes that are of practical and
continuing benefit to our members.
Our unions do have the capacity to realize our potential as national institutions with
a creative power to influence constructively the direction and quality of national life.
This potential, however, would remain underdeveloped unless we organize
ourselves for effective action; and this would require maximum involvement of all
members in the activities of their respective unions.
It is not sufficient for members to limit their involvement to the payment of their
dues. Successfulunions require more than their members’ money: It requires their
time, their energies and their talents. Members cannot expect their union to do its
best for them or to achieve a strong position of influence within our society, unless
they themselves take an active and enthusiastic interest in the work of the union at
all levels. The CCWU is not just the people working at Clerico House; not the
building at Quamina Street either; it’s the combined members and executives that
are actually called the union. I would therefore urge union members who are dormant
to wake up and discharge their duty to the union in the same way you would expect
the union to discharge its duty to you. That is the only guarantee of the sustainability
of the labour movement.

4. 4
From the time they were first given legal recognition in our country, trade unions
made a substantial and invaluable contribution to the country’s evolution. We have
played our part in promoting workers’ education and training, and have gained for
them vastly improved conditions of work through the instruments of collective
bargaining and legislative reforms.
These are great achievements of which the unions can be justifiably proud. And yet
there is a grave danger that these can be jeopardized because so many of our young
workers tend to take them for granted. They appear not to know much, if anything
at all, about the early struggles of the unions, the sacrifices of those stalwarts who
pioneered trade unionism in our country and the challenges which preceded the
establishment of trade unions. Because of this lack of knowledge, young people are
losing the benefit of a valuable legacy which can inspire them to vigorous
endeavours in the service of their unions, their fellow-workers and their country. We
must tell them about this legacy. Regrettably, we are very remiss in documenting
our history.
Apart from Ashton Chase’s book “History of Trade Unionism in Guyana 1900 to
1961” and a few historical outlines of Hubert Nathaniel Critchow here and there, it
is difficult to find literature aboutthe trade union movement orthe lives of Guyanese
trade union stalwarts. I wonder for instance how many members of our union would
correctly answer the question,” Who is George De Peana and what was his
contribution to the development of trade unionism in Guyana?” We must very
systematically correct this grave shortcoming of which we are guilty. This is the
time to utilise the complete range and scope of the media to saturate the landscape
with accurate accounts oftheworks and lives oftrade unionists like Jocelyn Hubbard
and Gordon Todd, Joseph Pollydore and Boysie Ramkarran, Basil Blair and
Vivienne Surrey, A.T. Gibson, D.P. Sankar and Richard Ishmael and many others

5. 5
whose contributions can make invaluable inroads towards sustainable national
cohesion. There is much important work to be done here. The judgement of
generations to come will be severe, should we neglect to take up this tripartite
responsibility.
The Early Years of CCWU
Allow me to briefly state a few things about the CCWU. The CCWU emerged out
of “the Clerks’ Association” which started in 1939 as an association for clerks only.
Workers were not generally that brave as J.H. Pollydore and Boysie Ramkarran of
the Transport & Harbours Department to identify with a Trade Union at that time;
an association was the acceptable starting point. Meetings were held covertly for
fear of victimization. (That's a glimpse of British Guiana for you.) In 1948, this
Association cancelled its registration. Its ex-president Jocelyn Hubbard later became
the Minister of Trade and Industry when the People Progressive Party (PPP) won
the 1953 elections.
Subsequent to the dissolution of the Clerks’ Association a new Union was formed –
Clerical Workers’ Union which was registered on the 8th of February, 1950 as the
65th trade union in Guyana. To broadenits scopeof representation, a new name, the
Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union was officially adopted on the 8th of June
1957.
Mrs. Janet Jagan, then a stalwart PPP activist and later President of Guyana, served
as Field Secretary of the Union. Believe it or not, at that time the CCWUwas one of
55 unions operating in the country. Believe it or not also, the CCWU had sought in
the sugar industry.
The persistence with which the CCWU pursued workers’ rights was such that many
of our late leaders were harshly victimized for their Union activities.

6. 6
Our first agreement for recognition was signed in 1961 with the Weiting and Richter
Biscuit Factory followed by an agreement with the Demerara Oil Mills which was
also owned by Weiting and Richter.
By 1973 the CCWU had obtained recognition in 65 companies. Nevertheless, this
achievement was not seen as ultimate and the CCWU continued its struggle for
recognition.
The PNC Government undoubtedly spoke in support of trade unions. First Prime
Minister Forbes Burnham, speaking at the first Biennial Congress of the Peoples
National Congress in August 1975 stated “The Ultimate Sanction of a Trade Union
to call a strike remains and must always remain”.
Late Cde. Desmond Hoyte, Minister of Economic Development in 1976, in
addressing the CCWU “Think In” on July 18, that year said. “The role of the Trade
Union in socialist society is a comprehensive and universal one. As Trade Unions
pursue their task of progressively enhancing the quality of life of their workers, all
aspects and all sectors of National activity must come within their purview and be
amenable to their influence”.
Cde. Kenneth Denny, late Minister of Labour, Manufacturing and Industrial
Development in 1981 pointed out that Government considers the Trade Union
Movement in Guyana to be a closefriend and partner in the struggle fortrue working
class unity, industrial relations and economic advancement.
In reality, the relationship between the CCWU and state run corporations and the
Ministry of Labour was not in keeping with Government's pronouncements. It is
our hope that today we can safely and sensibly say 'let bygones be bygones'.
Areas of Development

7. 7
At the 14th Annual Delegates’ Conference in 1968 the Former General President the
Late Brother Gordon Todd delivered his first presidential address during which
outlined objectives to be achieved by the Union. Among these objectives were:
• Financial assistance to members to purchase their own houses.
• Payment of optical expenses.
• Better discounts on purchases made by employees.
• Rest Roomfacilities at places of employment.
• Assistance for educational trips.
• Attendance bonus;and
• Introduction of incentive schemes.
In 1970, former President added workers participation as another objective. Worker
Participation according to Gordon Todd must emerge from the shop floor where
Supervisors, foreman and shop stewards could share joint responsibility for all
matters which affected the workers at that level.
Forhim workers should be an integral part of decision-making on matters involving
promotions and demotions, transfers, disciplinary measures, dismissal and training.
All those objectives are relevant and continue to attract the attention of the CCWU
today. Further, in light of the rapidly changing socio-economic environment in
Guyana, where a variety of non-traditional sectors are emerging, the CCWU is
constantly revisiting and revising its agenda to meet the needs of workers in those
new areas. We will continue to serve; to be relevant and to be strong.

8. 8
Cde. Kenneth Denny (1981) Director, Workers Education, promoted workers
involvement in the decision-making process. This resulted in workers representation
on many Boards of Directors, Unfortunately, most organizations, especially state
run corporations were not ready or willing to accept that benefits could be derived
from workers participation. The Unions might have been short-sighted by not
mounting a country-wide Education Programme in workers participation.
Education
Education has always been a high priority area with the CCWU. Members have
always been encouraged to grasp opportunities for training offered by their
respective employers. The CCWU had complemented workers education efforts by
establishing its own classes at Clerico House but rapid changes in technology over
the years forced an end to our endeavours and we depended on Critchlow Labour
College to fulfil our workers education aspirations. That is why we are very
concerned about recent developments between the Trades Union Congress and the
College. The college no longer confines itself to trade union education. It is
exceeding more broad based and provides education opportunities for all, including
government workers. I am sure that is in keeping with the government’s programme
which is premised on the conclusion that the doorto national prosperity and an end
to poverty is through education.
In light of the foregoing, I wish to seize this opportunity to plead with the
government to accommodate the labour movement in dialogue with a view to
amicably resolving the issue of an annual subvention for the college.
Women in CCWU

9. 9
Women have been in forefront of the activities of the CCWU. In the early 60’s sister
Zana Mc Kanzie was the sole female member of the Executive Committee
comprising 15 members and in 2010 sister Ann Anderson became the first woman
to be elected General Secretary, a position which she still holds. This is the most
powerful position ever held by a female in the Union. Our General Secretary is first
woman to hold the following elected positions at the International Transport
Workers’ Federation (ITF) 43rd World Congress, which was held in Sofia Bulgaria,
in August, 2014.
• First Caribbean Woman to hold Vice Chair of the ITF World Women’s
Committee
• Frist Caribbean Womanto hold Vice Chair of the ITF Latin Americas and the
Caribbean regionalCommittee
• FirstCaribbeanWomanto hold Vice Chairofthe RegionalDockers Committee
• First Woman as Guyana’s representative on the Flag of Convenience
Committee
• First Woman as ITF Caribbean Sub-RegionalCoordinator
On September 23-24, 2015 she led Guyana’s Trade Unionists delegation to RIO DE
JANEIRO for discussions on the border issue between Guyana and Venezuela
through Diplomatic means.
The advancement offemales in our union is the productofavision articulated during
the 14th Annual Delegates, 1968 bythe then General President Brother GordonTodd,
who called on female members to play a greater part in union affairs.

10. 10
Over the years, women have been sent to conferences/seminars organized
specifically for women in Trade Union Movement. Limited utilization of female
capabilities has not and will not generate among women the level ofcompetenceand
self-worth needed to function effectively in the forefront of the Trade Union
Movement.
Welfare, Sport and Community Involvement
The CCWU recognizes that its primary function is to assist human welfare and
development. Therefore, we see to the welfare of our members and continues to
make contributions to the wider community.
The Union hosts an annual Christmas party forthe senior citizens and children in the
area in which Clerico House is located. The number of senior citizens and children
who attend our party has grown from 18 in 1973 to over 300 these days.
Non-unionised workers
Prior to 1961, the CCWU was administered by a group of volunteers, part-time
members. From 1961 our executive led by General President, Jodha Samaroo,
introduced full time staff. The CCWU is well prepared to weather the storm as far
as 21st century workers representation is concerned.
Today our task is to sign up in our membership the thousands of workers who are
employed in the business houses, fast foods, call centers, banks etc., Non-unionised
workers are unaware of the risks they take by failing to bond together in a trade
union to promote their individual and collective well-being; to protecttheir benefits
and their families.

11. 11
The CCWU advises non-unionised workers to rethink their frail position in the
workplace. We urge them to let us help them organise themselves so that they can
evade unnecessary crises in the lives and benefit fully from the labours.
Trade Union Unity
Most good things in the lives of great men and women are rooted in what was learnt
in the home. The CCWU is a united home, and that sense of unity has been the
hallmark of our existence as a union. Progress by organisations as trade unions can
only be realised in an environment of genuine unity. It is our acknowledgement of
the fact that unity is the life blood of organisations that kept the CCWU alive and
kicking for 68 years.
We are encouraged by the united May Day March and Rally in 2016; we are
encouraged by the accommodation extended to FITUG by the TUC over the
challenges faced by sugar workers; we are happy that the prospects for trade union
unity appears more positive than negative, and we pray that the life blood of unity
continues to flow in the veins of leaders of the labour movement.
Long live the CCWU!
Long live the Labour Movement!
Long live the Cooperative Republic of Guyana!