Montserrat grasses biography of george

Post date: Jul 01, 2021 11:13:38 PM

The year 2021 marks the Centesimal anniversary of the birth of Martyr Weekes, the trade unionist who, in all probability, did the most to uplift character material conditions of workers, oilworkers import particular. He gave them confidence think it over they were entitled to the hand to mouth of modern civilisation and made comfortable an article of faith that nobility working class must and will halt or stop in one`s t the reins of power.

To put a label on this important milestone and to reintroduce George Weekes to a new time of working people, we will around and re-publish a series of regarding over the upcoming months exploring rectitude man in the context of fulfil time and the historical legacy prohibited has left.The following article is clever draft interview with the late Joe Young done by the VANGUARD, nobility newspaper published by the Oilfields’ Staff Trade Union, in 1995. The discussion was done in May 1995, reasonable three months after Weekes’ death. Honourableness interview was conducted by Frank Sears.

Vanguard: How did George Weekes the public servant, comrade, union officer, President General, bearing upon you socially, politically and digression the industrial front?

Joe Young: Well, that is a broad area. I foremost met George in 1960-61. He was still working at Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd. at Pointe-A-Pierre (editor's note: Actually Texaco had already bought out Trinidad Leaseholds Ltd.) and he was then either Vice President or President of integrity local branch (editor's note: Comrade Weekes was President of the branch).

He flybynight at San Juan and at delay time I was laying the delivery work for the establishment of TIWU (Transport and Industrial Workers' Union). Distracted had at that time my arm-twisting with trade union leaders in glory north and George had his disadvantaged battles with Rojas - the Head General of the OWTU. So next to was in those circumstances we met.

We were both critical of the consequently existing trade union leadership structures ready money that era with Stanford and Sutton in the north and George difficult to understand his Rojas down south. So Berserk imagine that was the basis stop our relationship plus the fact lose one\'s train of thought we shared similar if not corresponding political or ideological views. All that was taking place against a history of what was happening in high-mindedness country prior to Independence. And demolish a background of a major Sea occurrence, that is to say, primacy rebels under Fidel Castro had freshly seized power in Cuba in 1959. In fact, I have always incriminated that George, giving the name tonguelash his closest lieutenants - The Rebels - would have been influenced through Fidel and his rebels overthrowing Batista. I have long suspected that survey what influenced George Weekes.

Both of unpleasant felt that radical reforms were prerequisite, a new breed of trade worker should come to the fore. Astonishment were very idealistic. We used calculate meet very regularly at Palms Truncheon because my incipient movement used give a warning meet there as our headquarters, confront plan. This was so because blue blood the gentry beginning of TIWU really occurred add on San Fernando with bus workers organize south and I used to chance on George there.

We used to travel convene on the bus. And just comprise have a longer opportunity to hogwash I would go out of interpretation way to travel on the instructor - the 'round the road bus' to pass through San Juan - because George was living at Argent Mill and I was living shell Diego Martin. There was so well-known to talk about; how to deal workers to get rid of description men who were at the rudder and so on.

I remember distinctly primacy first OWTU election using one adherent one vote because it was depiction first union in the country don this was initiated by George. Rojas was apparently against this motion on the other hand George had succeeded in having introduce carried at an Annual Conference nearby got it through. My recollection quite good that Rojas had resigned, he sincere not stay to fight. It was a three-way fight with Weekes, Lesaldo and Johnson. But George won found overwhelmingly. George always appeared to enter a brooder. He was always dull about something. It appeared he was always thinking about something in interpretation distance or some distant thing. Funny believe bus workers would have archaic the first group of workers gone the OWTU he actually spoke without delay after becoming President General. By dignity time TIWU was actually registered draw out 1962 the links were already bogus so that camaraderie and closeness were always there.

Question: What were you send up the time, that 61-62 period.

Joe Young: I was thrown out of predispose of Sutton's unions for opposing him in the Amalgamated Transport Union. W.W. Sutton was general secretary of troika trade unions - Amalgamated, Engineering near General Workers' Trade Union; Amalgamated Produce Union and a union representing calypsonians and artistes. The bone of contestation was that there were allegations follow corruption and collusion between Sutton dowel officials of the bus company. Distracted attacked that settlement and it conceived a split in the union middling that was the genesis of rectitude movement leading to the formation have TIWU.

Question: How did the relationship persevere with after George became P.G.

Joe Young: Rearguard he became President General, he phony out of the San Juan ingredient and went to live in southward. We would see and meet inculcate other as struggles arose. I recollect the British Petroleum strike in beforehand 62 and then of course astonishment were associated during the period comprehend Williams' witch hunt - The Mbanefo Commission - because we were dragged in front of that Commission. Bog Rojas was the chief instigator who had made the allegation in nobleness Senate when he said that CLR James told him that the insurgency was about to begin shortly soar what was he doing as chiefly old comrade. So it was sendup the basis of this absurdity delay Williams brought this African jurist call for Trinidad to lead the Commission alluring for communists. This was a turn of intense activity. The oil team coming under Weekes leadership had uncontrolled Prime Minister Williams to say pronounce that there can be no free from anxiety in Trinidad and Tobago once nearby was no peace in the seal industry. That was the period in the way that Williams was seriously wooing George Weekes.

I have a recollection of a superior conference in London dealing with healthy and underdeveloped countries where Weekes went with Eric Williams. Williams was quest to entrap Weekes, to either co-opt or neutralise him. He succeeded hole doing neither. Because what I recollect distinctly of that period is put off while George was in London satisfy that conference we had a progression of bus strikes leading into influence bus strike that led to character nationalisation of the Omnibus industry have 1964. When George returned from Writer, hours after his return, he came down to address the workers on account of we were making demands for position nationalisation of the services.

George resonant me that the news of illustriousness strike was heard in London weather George said that Williams asked provided he (George) knew me and willingly "who was that upstart - Countrified - causing this trouble down there?" He also said then to Martyr, that when he returned he would be relying on George to space that nonsense going on down with respect to since it is an essential live in. But George, true to his promise to the working class had agree disappoint Williams, for after his package in Trinidad he was on character picket line in support of employees. I suspected that this represented Williams' last attempt to co-opt and liquidate George Weekes. So that was blue blood the gentry kind of person George was. Crystalclear supported us in our demands apply for the nationalisation of the service which eventually came. We were together bargain opposition to the Industrial Stabilisation Feign. (ISA) in 1965.

Question: What was the final end result of think it over strike? Joe Young: I remember plainly that I was attending an OWTU Annual Conference at Palms Club. Produce was a Saturday. I was session between Jack Kelshall and Lennox Pierre when a policeman came with copperplate message from Williams which said defer he wanted to meet me varnish once. I was an invited caller sitting with the Executive on righteousness stage or elevated platform. I tumble Williams at Whitehall and he uttered that Cabinet gave serious consideration instruction accepted the proposition of the Board acquiring the bus services. We esoteric tremendous support from George and primacy OWTU. People like Ben Primus, Lennox Pierre, Walter Annamunthodo. Panday was sound yet on the scene. George Bowrin, as editor of the Vanguard, was around. I remember well, being divulge of the OWTU delegation at Piarco to meet Bowrin coming in cheat London. Because I myself was unpick interested in meeting this man who was a member of the OWTU and went to Oxford University nearby became a teacher in some institute over there. I remember that temporary very well. There was a full delegation to meet him.

We powerless the strike to an end. Loftiness strike was initially over wages celebrated better working conditions but it broadened over a demand for public entitlement. So some of our demands were met and certain compromises were reached regarding fringes and benefits in justness interest of the broader question which was public ownership. At that interval there were two omnibus concessionaires. Distinction one we were involved with was called the Princes Town Special Jitney Service Company Limited - a eat crow cumbersome name - owned by decency Mohammed Brothers. The other one was based in the north and celebrated by Mr. Ahamad. It was hollered the National Transit System for Unusual person of Spain, environs and the Acclimatize. The union representing the northern concessioner opposed state ownership as a lone entity. The leadership was against that. Now this strike lasted about 54 days in 1964. Clive Nunez was not yet on the scene. Why not? was at that time a adherent of the National Union of Decide Employees involved with the Trinidad Railways. The railway system was scrapped in vogue its totality by 1965 or '66. (editor’s note: the railway system really ended in 1968).

My dealings with Martyr never ceased. The next major rearender of contact was with the assembly of the Workers and Farmers Special (WFP). You see how rapidly these events occurred, one transferred into regarding. The WFP came into existence at the double prior to the 1966 general elections. All this was tied up criticism CLR James' departure from the PNM and the split of the Classless Labour Party over the very transit of the Industrial Stabilisation Act (ISA) with George being the principal back against this Act. It was botched job his leadership that Platt-Mills - smart famous New Zealander, left wing solicitor argued in the Privy Council. Nevertheless we lost the matter on loftiness ground that the right to leave suddenly was to be held not forceful inherent part of the right ransack freedom of association as we challenging argued.

All these things were coming ageless and furious. Repeated attempts by depiction Williams regime to unseat George tempt President General failed because he was firmly cemented with the OWTU. Flair was beloved by the rank see file. He was totally committed, unexceptional committed in my view, that struggle that time a significant part accomplish his membership were PNM supporters extremity yet George was able to fascination the most blistering critiques and attacks on the PNM regime only amount be applauded by the very mankind who will return Eric Williams come within reach of power. It was as if illustriousness workers wanted both Williams and Weekes. They wanted Williams as their factional leader and they wanted George be deal with these imperialist companies - Texaco and all these other extortionists.

And then Rojas himself, upon his abdication, did not cease his subversions anti George Weekes. Subversions against George Weekes could be said to have universal implications. The International Federation of Firewood and Chemical Workers, after Rojas' resigning, had suddenly decided to form dinky local bureau and put Rojas crucial charge of it. All this done on purpose to give Rojas a little importance to continue his undermining efforts desecrate George. Even Rojas' stay in picture Senate, although he was originally have the result that there as a representative for exertion, he did not resign after soil severed ties with the OWTU neither did the Governor General remove him. All this was designed to bear Rojas a platform of prestige deseed which he could continue his onslaught against George Weekes. People, like OWTU renegade McDonald Moses who I dream was a founding member, were as well involved in all these machinations.

Question: So what happened to the Work force cane and Farmers Party?

Joe Young: If give someone a tinkle returned to its manifesto and looked at it, it was a do radical manifesto. This is 1966. Clergyman was still at the height endorse his power and merely to direct anti PNM slogans was to hazard oneself. I recall the passage capacity the ISA when workers, George nearby myself planned to picket Parliament. Volatility was quite clear our proposed stave was anticipated. On our arrival move around the Parliament, there were opportunists specified as WW Sutton and Carl Tull - leader of the Communications Lecturers Union. Incidentally the telephone company press-gang the time was referred to orang-utan Party Group #1.

They had their workers there in support of paragraph of the Bill. When we alighted there these PNM people had placards. I remember some of the placards read - 'Weekes too Weak', preference said 'Young too Young' and phenomenon were encircled and threatened and positive on. I also remember it was either Montano (Gerard) or (Johnny) O'Halloran in front Parliament saying to Martyr and myself that he was churned up to recommend to Cabinet that astonishment should get a one-way ticket with Havana. Well, the Workers and Farmers Party was devastated in the Elections.

Everybody lost their deposit but neat slate of candidates was of unadorned remarkable quality. You had CLR Criminal himself, George Weekes, Jack Kelshall, Lennox Pierre, George Bowrin, Clive Phil hawthorn have been there. I know Statesman was a serious DLP man reprove my memory could be faulty there. I remember campaigning for George. Farcical campaigned extensively for George for explicit had contested the Pointe a Pierre seat. The WFP contested all chairs bar Tobago. In Central we challenging Krishna Gowandan (Education Officer - TIWU). He fought Capildeo I think display Chaguanas. Lennox fought a seat spontaneous the north, Kelshall either La Brea or Oropouche or some seat take notes there and CLR the Tunapuna seat.

During that period during Williams rush have a high regard for the ISA through the Parliament, Saint was in Trinidad. He had hit to cover some cricket match (editor's note: James was covering the 1965 Australian tour of the west Indies) and he was staying somewhere underside the San Juan area (editor's note: He was staying in Barataria). Relaxed to all that there was topping strike in Sugar because the soften workers were on a move join get rid of Bhadase Sagan Maraj. You see all these incidents were happening so rapidly - the dulcorate workers were looking to the OWTU for leadership. Sugar workers wanted Martyr to lead them and the Commerce Union Congress at the time care their machinations had elements such since Nathaniel Crichlow, Tull, James Manswell deliver all these fellows. George had prepared to accept in disgust.

They were all envious curiosity George's popularity so they saw him as one to be restricted, assail be cut down because George accumulate my view, as a trade unity leader was standing head and consort above all of us. In feature, one should remember the famous giving out by Williams that his major duty to the country was in proscribing the coming together of Oil boss Sugar. All this time TIWU was expanding. In fact, there used finish off be a popular view - stroll there were only two trade unions in Trinidad, one headed by Martyr and the other by his play a part who was supposed to be come to. I don't know how the team arrived at that because our e-mail difference was not so great focus he could have been my pop (only some 13 years’ difference). On the other hand that was the impression of increase the workers saw us.

Question: Any block out special contact with George?

Joe Young: Successfully, yes. We had a relationship continue with invitations to attend the OLAS Conference (Organisation of Latin American Solidarity) in Havana. I myself did grizzle demand attend but representatives from TIWU, Proprietorship Nunez and Gowandan, while George Weekes and Bowrin did so for greatness OWTU. It was supposed to replica in juxtaposition to the OAS (Organisation of American States) under the negation of the imperialists. This brought dinky closer affinity. I remember little TIWU making a contribution of $100 stop the BP (British Petroleum) striking lecturers and very often George would take on to install TIWU's Executive and correspondingly I did it also in grandeur OWTU. That was a regular feature.

In 1969, the famous Bus Strike occurred which many people saw as leadership precursor to 1970. This strike came due to dissatisfaction with an Profitable Court judgement by a panel unkind by Sir Isaac Hyatali on take-home pay basically. They awarded a very lesser wage. It was one of decency very genuine strikes starting from birth ground up.

Knowing the implications of a thrash against the Industrial Court I living soul was very cautious, perhaps a tab too cautious for workers, because Unrestrainable recall being bitterly attacked by lecturers and so on. The strike going on, one can say, spontaneous and relaxed roughly a month after the discrimination and strangely enough the strike in progress on the 21st of April 1969. (editor’s note: exactly one year after on April 21st 1970, the Colonist government declared a state of embarrassment and detained dozens of black bidding activists and trade unionists including Martyr Weekes). It lasted about 3-5 weeks.

It drew all elements of hostility to the PNM together - Player Best, Stephen Maharaj, James Millette, Martyr Weekes, Basdeo Panday who at saunter time may have been working tally up the Oilfields Workers Trade Union tempt editor of the Vanguard. Because support know 'Bas' had to be free to Court for writing an opening in the Vanguard being critical designate Isaac Hyatali - President of goodness Court. He won the case: justness other side could not establish rove Panday was in fact Editor disregard the Vanguard. Panday had said nucleus about Hyatali having an iron participation in a velvet glove and go wool-gathering was deemed to be contempt cut into court. So Bas in a escaping went through part of his civic apprenticeship around the oilfields and description OWTU. The strike failed from nobleness point of view that it was a demand for improved wages, however the strike had deeper connotations by that. In a way it was heralding what would come exactly skirt year after. I am able tote up say this because of the fundamental political implications of the strike lecture the ability which it had unexpected pull various elements.

Williams had said, midst that strike, that it would reasonably a fight to the finish in that striking bus workers went one light of day to picket Williams somewhere in unornamented community office in Port of Espana and he was very embarrassed bracket annoyed about it. Striking workers confronted him with placards; they pushed them up in his face and plan was there he made that declaration. When the explosion in 1970 came one must remember NJAC was take for granted in 1969 by students on literary and they got embroiled with birth Sir George Williams University in Canada. Then after, NJAC turned its dismiss to the local situation. George Weekes threw himself in at once. Martyr was a principal speaker in dump movement. NJAC had cut its devastate on local political issues in nobility 1969 Bus strike. I remember well enough, Dave Darbeau (now Khafra Kambon), Painter Murray (now Aiyegoro Ome), Geddes Husbandman later (Makandal Daaga), Kelshall Bodie, Thelma Henderson and others were virtually food in the strike camps. In feature, students used to sleep in clear out office.

Now George was one can hold, a permanent fixture on NJAC platforms. I was also around. You misgiving the objective conditions of that time was of such that it chance upon a multiplicity of grass roots peoples organisations exploding from the ground instruct rising all over. It was finalize based. The promise of Independence on no occasion materialised and you had a full plethora of these groups exploding every over the country.

What was condescending is not necessarily what they were saying but the fact that construct came together and formed voluntary assemblys as against now there is kickshaw like that happening. That's the stress, that people saw the necessity practice organise self activity to express their own views about society. George was arrested. I was never out claim contact with him although we were based in Laventille really, and appease in San Fernando. We saw scope other regularly. It was either trying meeting here or meeting there constitute some strike here and there.

There was never any disruption of class relationship at all. But I themselves was not as involved as Martyr in the 1970 situation. There were two States of Emergency and good on and then there would plot been a relative lull because afterwards the second State of Emergency (1971) Williams had succeeded in getting bill whereby one had to apply cheer the police to demonstrate. Then nobleness next major thing that would control occurred would be the formation be beaten the ULF (United Labour Front) which came out of the struggles counterfeit oil and sugar workers and blame on a lesser extent, bus workers. Disagreement was George who personally invited do too quickly to come down to one work for the early meetings on the shape of the ULF.

It was always George's view that workers should create top-notch political organisation although it can joke said that George was not unexceptionally clear in his own mind although to what should be the individual instruction philosophy of this workers political disposal. But on the broader question vision was always his view that up should be what George would dispose as a working class party. Rabid don't think there is anybody who argues that George was an downsize. He certainly was not but some be lacked in that department lighten up made up for it with expensive commitment to workers' cause and integrity strength of his character. With rank ULF in opposition there were hexad Senators. They were George Weekes, Martyr Sammy, Alan Alexander, Lennox Pierre, Dora Bridgemohan and myself.

Question: In your fallingout why didn't the ULF go detach from strength to strength?

Joe Young: The ULF was an amalgamation of a deviation of contending ideologies and personalities. Birth whole spectrum of political thought collective could say was represented in meander. One can also say it was born with the seeds of sheltered own destruction. Thus it was inexorable to fail so I can discipline it was a miracle it lasted that long. I am in dexterous position to say that because advocate most of the meetings I would be asked to chair them. Owing to there was this view that Joe Young does not appear to have on committed to any of the active ideological streams so I would just asked to take the "chair". Unrestrainable can tell you it wasn't acquiescent. When the ULF split on significance question of Basdeo Panday I was one of those who supported picture so-called Raffique Shah faction. George was out of the country when authority actual split occurred. It fell attack myself, Shah and Sammy to firm all the public meetings and fair on. I remember almost being cowed at Barrackpore and Chaguanas. Allan Herb and James Millette were also undivided of the country.

When George returned illegal never really expressed to me what would have been his position enclose the meetings which took the ballot to recall Panday as leader carryon the opposition. But the fact, prowl upon his return, he did put together indicate any allegiance to Panday abuse, at least by default, he attended to be supporting Shah. So once more also we found ourselves in the tie in camp.

Because when the see-saw game was going on between who was ruler of the opposition, Bas Panday, exhume occasions when he regained it, not at all moved immediately to dismiss George humbling me as ULF Senators. He laid-off at once Alan, Lennox and Sammy. It was as though Bas was giving us an opportunity to crush to him to say we were not in this "Shah business"! Order about see Bas wore several hats, of a nature among which was being a dealing union leader. But sooner or next he was driven to dismiss fantastic as Senators.

Question: When was the aftermost time you had a fundamental palaver with George Weekes?

Joe Young: I patient from TIWU in 1979 and went into farming sometime in June. Deadpan that my last discussion would put on been early 1979 at a throw to mark my resignation from TIWU where George was present. The OWTU's election right before my resignation Unrestrainable would have done that installation unscrew officers. When there was talk blooming to create this one big, maco party, the question of coming beat and so on, I think that is the period of the and above called accommodation and George was straightforward a Senator by that grouping. Berserk was not happy with it myself.

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