Ramotar slams labour divide; says section ‘out of sync with society’

President Donald Ramotar believes that a section of organized labor in Guyana, “is out of sync with the rest of society.”
Ramotar was at the time calling on the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), 20th Delegates Conference, to seek to isolate the source of the ‘labor division’ in Guyana.
He says “the strength of the workers always lie in their numbers and in the unity of the working class….it is therefore important that we identify the cause of the division and deal with it.”
Over the years the rift in Guyana’s organized labor grew to the point where a separate union umbrella body was established, namely the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).
That body is headed by Carvil Duncan and is largely believed to be sympathetic to the ruling Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government.
On the other end of the spectrum lies the Guyana Trades Union (GTUC) which is perceived to be more sympathetic to the Political Opposition.
This division has over the years led to a now annual “May Day Melee.”
On this day, organized labor in Guyana would commence a single parade before venturing off for two separate rallies under the different union banners.