Remembering Cheddi Jagan
PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM on occasion of 5TH ANNIVERSARY of the PASSING OF Dr JAGAN
Presentation by Komal Chand, PRESIDENT of GAWU(Held at the CHEDDI JAGAN RESEARCH CENTRE on 6TH MARCH, 2002)
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) is proud to organize this activity under the theme "Cheddi Jagan – Patriot and Trade Unionist:" I wish to take the opportunity to thank Dr Clive Thomas and Cde Grantley Culbard for accepting the Union’s invitation to share in the panel discussion on this distinguished personality at this appropriate venue – The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre. Also, our appreciation to Dr. N.K. Gopaul who agreed to be our Moderator for this activity.
Five years ago, this day, Cheddi Jagan breathed his last. He departed this life after he made such a colossal contribution to the Guyanese people’s struggle for freedom, justice and social progress. His contributions to end colonial rule in our country and to uplift our people from the vestiges of slavery, indentureship and colonialism itself to a new life in an independent Guyana is especially noteworthy. He distinguished himself as a Guyanese patriot; never flinched in his resolve to bring independence to Guyana; never succumbed to pressures nor temptation in his commitment to the Guyanese working people.
On Dr Jagan’s return to Guyana in 1943 after qualifying as a dentist in the United States of America, it did not take him long to take up the cudgel of the workers and the downtrodden.
His experiences in America in many ways served a great lesson to him. He became intimately acquainted with life of the workingman and had first-hand knowledge of their living conditions – of slums, poverty, segregation, discrimination etc. In America too he began to read many books that expanded his intellectual horizons and inspire his interest in politics. In the West on Trial he said: "I had become more and more interested in politics" and had a peep into socialism. Karl Mark’s capital was later to open up a whole new horizons."
Cde Ashton Chase, in a recent lecture here at this Cheddi Jagan Research Centre referred to the three major strikes in the 1940’s in Guyana. A strike of the Bauxite workers at Mac Kenzie from April 13 to June 16, 1947; a four-day strike of the Transport Workers’ Union in April 1948 and the sugar workers strike from April to June 1948.
He traced Dr Jagan’s involvement in those strikes. Chase referring to Dr Jagan said "Both he and his wife Janet played an important role in all three major strikes. They as part of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) played a key role in assisting the bauxite workers during their strike, in the subsequent presentation to the Committee of Enquiry and in directional and propaganda work, and helped in the TUC sensitizing workers elsewhere and mobilizing their support for the bauxite workers".
Dr Jagan’s assistance to the strikers and their Unions on those major strikes brings home clearly his fighting spirit and activist character which was seen repeatedly throughout his life.
The GIWU’s strike in 1948 witnessed Dr Jagan and his wife, Janet Jagan collecting money to operate "soup kitchens" for the strikers and their families and also spent time preparing and distributing propaganda leaflets to explain, and agitate for the workers’ cause.
With regards to the struggle of the sugar workers, Dr Jagan tried to influence changes in the Man-Power Citizen’s Association. In 1945 he became the Treasurer of that Union. He did not manage to change the Union from within. He alluded in the West on Trial that he was removed from office after the end of one year due to two main factors – his objection to the high expense allowance enjoyed by the big boys in the Union and the tendency of the Union leaders to collaborate with the sugar planters and to set the Union on the course of becoming company dominated.
It was after his sojourn in the MPCA that he actively assisted in establishing the Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) the predecessor of the present Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) of which he was the Honorary President for many years.
Dr Jagan was elected President of the Sawmill Workers Union in 1949. That Union was later called the Sawmill and Forest Workers’ Union. He served that Union for many years and led many delegations advocating higher wages and better conditions of work for sawmill workers.
In 1955 he was precluded from attending the Union’s Conference in Bartica as a result of the restriction that was imposed on him following the declaration of a state of emergency in October 1953 when the British Government suspended the Constitution and removed his democratically elected Government.
Dr Jagan’s entry in the legislative Council in November 1947 as a representative for the East Demerara Electoral District provided the workers with a voice in the Legislative Council. He initiated labour friendly motions although he did not get the support of members of the Council to pass them. There was one calling for reduction in the normal hours of work of shop assistants and Hotel workers from 56 hours per week to 48 hours per week as well as that for an additional half-day on Sunday.
In the "History of Trade Unionism in Guyana" now Senior Counsel; Ashton Chase OE, recorded the following:-
"In Dr. Jagan, the workers found an outstanding champion of their rights. The solemnity of the Legislative Council was rudely shaken by his vigorous advocacy of the cause of workers. He had a passion for statistics. He used these in his pungent and forceful arguments to expose reaction and to lay bare before the workers, the vicious system that exploited them. At sitting after sitting, he assaulted the vaunted privileges of the capitalists. On many occasions, single handedly, but nevertheless most heroically and inspiringly he fought for the workers’ rights".
Outside the Legislature he continued his active work supporting the struggle of the workers. He attended a rally organized by the Federation of Unions of Government Employees (FUGE) at the Parade Ground in March 1952 to protest the dumping of milk by the Government. No other legislator attended. On the invitation of the Union’s President, Andrew Jackson he addressed the gathering giving his full support.
A major event which contributed to the workers’ struggle at the time was the formation of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) the fore-runner of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The founding members being Dr Jagan, Cde Janet Jagan, Cde Ashton Chase and Cde H.J.M Hubbard. It is to be noted at that time, Hubbard was the General Secretary of the of the TUC and also Secretary of the British Guiana Clerks Association now the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union and Chase was the Assistant General Secretary of the British Guyana Labour Union. Here you see the active representatives of the workers playing a paramount role in the formation of the P.A.C.
It is not strange, therefore, that apart from the three major strikes referred to earlier there were several others involving the Mental Hospital workers, Boat Builders, Shipwrights, Cinema Operators, Match Factory workers, Postmen, Printers and Bus Operators.
Cde. Chase pointed out: "The P.A.C supportive role in these struggles and its role in articulating public opinion in support were crucial factors in this era."
As a legislator during the 1947-1953 period Dr Jagan became convinced that a new Party should be formed. Thus, in January 1950 the PPP was founded to promote the interest of the working class. On its banner the principles of scientific socialism were set out and its main goals were independence for British Guiana and transformation of the economy to benefit the working people of Guyana.
In April 1953 the PPP, with its base support from the united working class, obtained 18 out of 24 seats at the General Election - the first election under universal adult suffrage. A new government took office with Dr Jagan at the head. The Government aggressively got down to business and began to address many issues although its activities were limited. Regarding Labour the House of Assembly passed the Government’s Labour Relations Bill which was intended to make it compulsory for employers to negotiate with the Trade union enjoying majority support.
However, the Bill, passed in the House of Assembly on October 08, 1953 did not see the light of the day. The Constitution was suspended by the British Government on October 09, 1953. Dr Jagan was restricted to the city of Georgetown and on breaking the restrictions; he was jailed for six (6) months.
The TUC also, suffered. The united and militant T.U.C was disbanded after the suspension of the constitution. A new T.U.C formed in December 1953, unfortunately was not able to uphold the militancy and progressive character of the former T.U.C.
Despite the manipulations of the British colonialists, Dr Jagan and his People’s Progressive Party went on to win the elections held in 1957 and 1961. Under his Premiership, Britain denied to grant Independence to Guyana. Instead, intent on removing him from Office, they shamelessly resorted to changing the electoral system to one of Proportional Representation which resulted in the PPP losing office in 1964.
His attempts to pass the progressive Labour Relations Bill in 1963 was met with stiff opposition, sadly, even by the then leadership of the TUC, political forces and the CIA and British Intelligence.
But, whether in Government or in opposition Dr Jagan remained committed to the struggles of the Guyanese people. He tried tirelessly to heal the division of workers, which had followed the suspension of the Constitution in 1953 by the British Colonialist.
In 1975, since it was not possible to get the law in place to facilitate the recognition of trade unions of the workers’ choice he began to provide active guidance to the Union. In recognizing the profound commitment of workers to advance the struggle for the recognition of GAWU, Dr Jagan guided the Union to take strike action. For 13 weeks in 1975 the workers struck forcing the Government, at last, to agree to take a poll, which was won by the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union with 98 per cent support of the votes cast on December 31, 1975.
Dr Jagan had a number of strengths which distinguished him. Above all, he had a brilliant analytical mind and a capacity to retain facts and figures. He used this effectively to make explicit his ideas and arguments. In one of his Straight Talk articles referring to control of the TUC by the ruling PNC Party at the time he wrote: "Control is exercised through trade union rigging and an undemocratic system of apportionment of delegates. Delegates to the GTUC Annual Conference are selected on a sliding scales and not on a proportional representation basis – 3 delegates for union with up to 200 members, 2 delegates for the next 300 members, and 1 delegate for every 500 members thereafter.
This system gives weightage to the PNC-controlled small unions, like the Association of Masters and Mistresses (AMM). It also leads to the registration and affiliation of miniscule unions such as unions for Bank workers. The result of delegates’ allocation for example is as follows: GAWU-1 for 442 members; AMM-1 for 60; the Guyana National Cooperative Bank Staff Association with a total of 40 members – 1 for 13.
All attempts to reform this unfair system have been resisted by the then ruling party and TUC. As a consequence, the Union in the 2 major industries, sugar and bauxite, were manipulated out of the GTUC Executive Committee at the 1982 Annual Delegates Conference".
In that article Dr Jagan explained that five (5) Unions with a total or 1,424 members of 1.8 per cent of the TUC’s total membership, had 23 per cent membership of the GTUC Executive Committee, while GAWU with 15,037 members or 20 per cent of the total membership of the TUC had no representation.
Dr Jagan was also a formidable tactician, a democrat and was sensitive and respectful to his comrades-in-arms and workers in general. I was able to see these qualities clearly demonstrated, once again, in the controversy over the ending of the Strike in May, 1989 which was supported by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG).
Those of us who worked alongside with him at the Trade Union level know well that Dr Jagan was never tired of repeating that the Union must always consult with its members, must always involve the workers’ representatives in the course of making representations to the employers whether to redress a grievance or at bargaining over an agreement. This is an important lesson he left with GAWU which is very much respected and which today serves as a source of strength to the Union.
After the elections of October 1992 Dr Jagan as, Executive President continued to embrace the workers’ cause and support their interest.
The number of labour friendly legislations passed in the National Assembly testified to this.
Reference is made to the Trade Union Recognition Act, the Prevent of Discrimination Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Holidays with Pay Act (All workers are now covered; previously only certain categories of workers enjoyed this benefit) and Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act.
Dr Jagan memory remains fresh with us. He was a steadfast champion of the working people and a true son of Guyana. He was a leader who stood undeviatingly to his lofty principles and a leader who inspired us in battles and in periods of calm. From him we have learnt that progress will come only from our united and principled struggles. To my mind this lesson is among the legacy he left us.
Cheddi Jagan - Father of the Nation
By Gary GirdhariThe Honourable Cheddi B. Jagan, late President of the Republic of Guyana, has been called by many names — the ‘fire brand’ Marxist-Leninist socialist, communist, popular leader — but most appropriately, the Father of the Nation and Dean of (Caribbean) Socialist Politics.
On March 6. 1997, Dr. Cheddi Jagan died at the Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. after suffering from complications arising out of a heart attack. He would have been 79 years old on March 22, 1997.
Jagan spent almost all of his adult life in politics, fighting relentlessly for the poor, disenfranchised and downtrodden — against many odds, including the might of imperialist Britain, USA and their local Guyanese reactionaries. Fully aware that the problem in Guyana politics is not racial but has a historical and class basis, he strived arduously to educate the people and especially those around him to understand the politics of race and class.
Cheddi Jagan was born on the 22 March, 1918 on the sugar estate of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Guyana. His parents were indentured immigrants from India, arriving in British Guiana at tender ages in 1901. His mother, Bachoni, remained illiterate and his father, Jagan, showed leadership qualities that enabled him to be promoted to ‘head driver’ or foreman.
Like other estate children, Cheddi Jagan spent his early days as a ‘normal’ child. He attended the Port Mourant Primary School followed by Persaud’s Secondary. His brilliance qualified him for the premier school, Queen’s College, in Georgetown, having won the highly competitive County Scholarship. There, he obtained the Oxford and Cambridge Certificate.
At Port Mourant, he apprenticed as a tailor and at Queens College he excelled in cricket. His parents must have been progressive since they sent him off at age 18 to the USA with $500.00 for further studies — this kind of act was rare if not unknown for the sugar workers.
He enrolled at the ‘black’ Howard University for pre-dental studies. In 1938, he moved to North Western University in Chicago, graduating 1942 in dentistry. Concurrently, he did a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences. Cheddi met and fell in love with Janet Rosenberg, a nurse and medical proof-reader. They were married during a simple ceremony in August 1943 amidst protests from the parents of both newly weds. Shortly after in October that year, Cheddi returned to Guyana (Janet to follow after ‘sweet soap’ of his parents) to set up a dental practice which was established at 69 Main Street, Georgetown. He was an superb dentist and he excelled in his profession for the next six years.
Jagan’s experiences in the USA left permanent impressions on his personality. He observed the problems of blacks, poverty, discrimination; and his ‘eyes were opened’ to the problems of the working people of British Guiana, for he soon became actively involved.
In 1946, together with his wife Janet, Trade Unionists H.J.M. Hubbard and Ashton Chase, the Political Affairs Committee was formed. The P.A.C. which was the precursor of the Peoples Progressive Party was the first structured political organization in Guiana with the primary aim of looking after the interests of the working class.
In 1947, Jagan contested the general election as an independent candidate and won a seat (Central Demerara district) in the Legislative Council, the halls of which he graced for 50 years. He became the President of the Sawmill Workers Union in 1949. In 1950, the People Progressive Party, a broad-based mass party, was formed, the leading members, all young and radical in their outlook. Cheddi was Leader, Janet, General Secretary and Forbes Burnham (deceased) of international notoriety was Chairman, usurping the position of Ashton Chase. Very shortly after, the P.P.P. agitated and won Adult Suffrage (after the Waddington Commission). At the 1953 general election, the P.P.P. acquired an overwhelming majority (18 out of 24) of seats against the mainly East Indian and African upper and middle class adversaries.
The rhetoric of the young, vibrant and progressives in the P.P.P. became a cause for concern, and the height of the Cold War evoked the wrath of the Colonial Powers. After 133 days in office, the British government, ably encouraged by the local reactionaries and ‘stooges’, suspended the constitution of British Guiana. The P.P.P. Ministers were removed from office. House arrests and jail became common place as the member broke the unreasonable and unfair restrictive orders. It was during this time that Martin Carter penned his revolutionary Poems of Resistance. Many were jailed, including Cheddi and Janet. Gunboat diplomacy was the order of the day and British soldiers ‘kept the peace’. The imposed Interim Government established an ignominious period of ‘marking time’.
Jagan (in the company of Burnham) traveled to India to seek comfort, guidance and assistance. They visited the U.K. to present their case for the removal of the restrictive orders and a return to a parliamentary state.
The strategy of ‘divide and rule’ was adopted by the combined powers and ‘race’ was injected into Guiana politics. Burnham sold out. When some leading members of the P.P.P. were incarcerated, Burnham sought to take over the leadership at the infamous ‘Metropole’ meeting. Despite many overtures by Jagan for rapprochement and cohesiveness, Burnham remained adamant; and he engineered a split in the P.P.P. which eventually came to full fruition in 1955. The "opportunist, racist and demagogue" Burnham led a Burnhamite faction and Jagan the Jaganite faction of the P.P.P.
In the 1957 election, Jagan won 9 out of 14 seats. Again in 1961, he received an overwhelming mandate against his main opponent, Burnham who by now had formed the Peoples National Congress. The working class base was thus shattered and this resulted in the demise and ruination of Guyana — very well orchestrated by local and foreign interests.
Cheddi Jagan’s primary focus was political independence for Guyana. The wind of change was blowing across Africa and the Caribbean. However, Britain and the USA opposed granting independence under the "pro-Communist, Marxist" with a "socialist economy"; hence, a complicity among Britain, USA and the CIA saw destabilizing efforts to remove Jagan from office — at all costs. A number of strikes, riots, burning and looting were finagled and masterminded by foreign-backed unions — using scapegoats of the "budget" in 1962 and the "labour relations bill" in 1963. By this time, Peter D’Aguiar, representing business, had formed the United Force, and joined Burnham (the incongruity of an arch capitalist and a born again ‘socialist’) to rout Jagan regardless of the consequences. Jagan’s yearning for independence encouraged him to participate in the Constitutional Conference in London when the dishonorable Duncan Sandys refused a date for independence and instead imposed a new system of proportional representation (PR) — especially designed to disadvantage and remove Jagan. The P.P.P. nevertheless obtained the highest percentage of votes but with no outright majority. Thus, the unholy alliance of the antipodal Burnham/D’Aguiar nexus formed a Coalition government because of their combined majority of seats. Burnham became the Prime Minister of the independent Guyana in 1966.
Forbes Burnham continued to ‘win’ a series of elections after elaborate and shameless frauds and riggings, all with the full knowledge and compliance of the powers that supported his rise to power. He was successful in creating a demonizing system where fear and coercion, ‘wire taps and physical surveillance’, and political intimidation reigned high. He postured as a power drunk monster dictator. He and the P.N.C. wrecked Guyana during 28 years of misrule, corruption and squandermania (thanks to Duncan Sandys and other operatives), and made most Guyanese the laughing stock of the Caribbean, losing their worth and self-esteem.
"For a man to fight and come back after all this time mean that he gat more guts than calabash’ was the voice of an elderly Black man during a roving TV interview in Guyana covering Jagan’s death. The ‘come back kid’ politician Cheddi and the P.P.P. won the election in 1992 at the end of the Cold War era, when a fair election was overseen by American advocates like President Jimmy Carter. Jagan was vindicated. Secret documents detailing how his early government was subverted by the so-called liberal Kennedy are still kept sealed by the State Department in Washington, although the documents should be declassified after 30 years — presumably because the "papers are a smoking gun" not "worth the embarrassment". Historian and former advisor to John F. Kennedy, Arthur Schlesinger apologetically recanted that they "misunderstood the whole struggle down there," that he (Jagan) was not "some great menace" and "wasn’t a Communist".
Jagan persevered, resolute, honest, fair, popular, never deviating from his underlying conviction to fight for the poor, to eradicate poverty, disease and illiteracy.
His short tenure as President of Guyana saw tremendous changes for the better. Self esteem and confidence returned. His ‘lean’ government and pragmatic approaches in governance have paid off. Infrastructural developments, production in all aspects of the economy are on the rise, and corruption is approaching zero.
Some say that Cheddi Jagan mellowed in later years. But his dialectic approach, after the end of the Cold War, suggested pragmatism, constrained, as we know, by heavy debt burden inherited from the previous regime. He was instrumental in obtaining debt write-offs and placed Guyana once again on the road to economic recovery. Regrettably, he needed more time to have accomplished his dreams and ideals. "The one duty we owe to history is to rewrite it." And one day, history will record Cheddi Jagan among the really great men of our times.
