Lead Editor-Politics
akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.tt
The trade union movement has postponed its planned mass demonstration through Port-of-Spain from October 16 to October 23, out of respect for the late calypso icon Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, whose state-assisted funeral is scheduled for the same day.
National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) general secretary Michael Annisette confirmed the decision yesterday, explaining that while police had contacted organisers about the scheduling conflict, there was no instruction or request from law enforcement for the unions to postpone their march.
Instead, he said the decision was taken voluntarily following discussions among trade union leaders, who agreed the labour movement should pay its respects to one of Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest cultural icons.
“There’s a consensus and agreement by everybody out of respect for Sparrow, that we should look for a new date to have our march rather than clashing in it,” Annisette said.
“The 23rd is a confirmed date,” he added, making it clear the demonstration would proceed one week later.
The decision has received the support of several unions, including the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), Estate Police Association (EPA), Steel Workers Union of Trinidad and Tobago (SWUTT), Seamen and Waterfront Workers Trade Union (SWWTU), All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union (ATGWTU), Banking, Insurance and General Workers Union (BIGWU), Prison Officers’ Association (POA), Trinidad and Tobago National Nurses Association (TTNNA), Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA), Contractors and General Workers Trade Union (CAGTWU), and the AWU.
Annisette said police contacted the organisers after it became clear Sparrow’s funeral arrangements would coincide with the date for which the unions applied to stage their demonstration in the capital.
He stressed, however, that the police merely brought the scheduling conflict to their attention and did not seek to influence the unions’ decision.
“They never called to ask us to postpone it. They called letting us know that on that day, right, it’s Sparrow’s funeral,” he explained.
Annisette said the funeral would require road closures and the deployment of law enforcement resources in areas close to the planned demonstration route.
Rather than compete with those arrangements, he said, union leaders felt it was appropriate to find another date.
Asked whether he believed the scheduling conflict was deliberate, Annisette refused to speculate.
Sparrow died in New York on September 27 at the age of 91. Annisette also extended condolences on behalf of the labour movement to Sparrow’s children and wider family.
“Just on behalf of the labour movement we wish to extend our condolences to the Mighty Sparrow, his children and his family and may his soul rest in peace.”
The post Unions postpone Oct 16 protest first appeared on CNC3.
