PM Spencer to Open 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Guyana Labour Union
October 22, 2007
St. John's, Antigua
Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Baldwin Spencer left the country today for Guyana where he will on Monday evening deliver the feature address and declare opening the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Guyana Labour Union.
Prime Minister Spencer, who was a former trade union leader, during his address will call for collective approach to address the many challenges of today, which are compounded by Globalisation, the CSME and new environmental challenges.
“New challenges also mean that there is need to set new goals. In light of the introduction of the new trade relations between the Caribbean and its traditional partners in Europe, regional trade unions need to redefine their roles and prepare themselves and the working class for every eventuality on the road ahead,” Prime Minister Spencer outlined in his draft statement.
Before leaving for Guyana, Prime Minister Spencer said that the theme of the conference, “Consolidating our gains as we face future challenges,” is most timely since it offers unionist all over the Caribbean the opportunity to reflect on more than one century of trade unionism in a global environment that is becoming increasingly harsh towards the preservation and advancement of hard won rights for the working class.
He is expected to call on the union leaders and members to develop mutally beneficial partnerships with regional administrations and capital rather than pursue the hallow confrontational approach previously practiced.
Prime Minister Spencer believes that trade unions have an obligation to focus more broadly beyond the normal day to day struggles by helping with solutions to the numerous social, political and economic issues that are affecting the lives of the working class.
The Guyana Labour Union 5th Triennial Conference brings together policy makers and implementers, development partners and other stakeholders of civil society to exchange views and elect officers to run the affairs of the institution.
The Conference will also open debate on how the challenges of the new millennium can be overcome to the satisfaction of the working class, regional entrepreneurs and political administrators.
