IS OBSOLESCENCE on the doorstep of Jamaica’s trade union movement? Is a day coming when what we call a workers’ movement will have disappeared? Some people will tell you that our workers do not need any “movement”.

It is up to each man and woman to work hard and determine their own destiny. Workers don’t need anyone to bargain for them, others will say, and if they can’t make progress on their own, then they don’t deserve a job — or so it is believed.

The epic stories of 1938 and the ensuing years when the labour movement had to fight for the place of workers in a new nation, are hardly recalled now. “Ole time” is the phrase used for arguments. Who needs that, eeh? It is nothing but Anancy story, others claim.

Earlier this week, Lloyd Goodleigh, former general secretary of the National Workers Union (NWU) came to the end of the road. To date, not much has been said to acknowledge the role which he played not only in his union but the wider field of adult education. Songs and praises will come inevitably, but at this moment, the atmosphere in the movement seems very subdued.

Lloyd Goodleigh made his mark not only in the union halls, but in areas which were committed to adult education, especially for workers. The University of the West Indies, Mona, via the late Professor Rex Nettleford, and with the co-operation of others, gave their support to worker-education, supported by international agencies also.

Times have really changed. The hey day is gone. The usual cry — a drought of support funds — has cramped the style. The Joint Trade Union Research Development Centre was the outcome of their support. The organisation, in its time, created a bridge with other trade unions, not only locally, but in other areas of the Caribbean where leadership was also strong.

Today, it is as if the engine by which it was run has been out of gas and oil for some time now. The vehicle is parked. The movement has undergone change. The same applies for unions across the length and breadth of the region. The affiliation of workers to political parties has served to weaken the unions, or so I have heard it said. Public distrust towards politics and politicians has hit some of the organisations. Designations of “workers’ rights” are not on the agenda.

Whatever the nature of the change, a Lloyd Goodleigh remained committed as one who had what some define as a “cerebral approach”. It would have been interesting how much was known of Goodleigh’s overall contribution to trade unionism, even in his later years. When he passed on this week, his “cerebral approach” was brought into the highlight.

The late Professor Rex Nettleford was an iconic figure in support of trade unionism, in its educational aspect, especially. Many from the unions trod the campus at Mona to learn from “The Prof”. He was the guru of studies and encourager of all. Prof was determined to make his students “smadditised”; to become individuals as much as anyone else.

He made no apology for getting workers “to study”. As a global figure, he never stopped in the drive to encourage men and women to “take to the book”, which could lift them to a higher level. Since the departure of The Prof, worker education has become almost comatose. I’ve learned that lack of resources to carry on programmes is the challenge of the day. There is no money for educating workers. But all is not lost. Programmes may have been scaled down, but learning continues.

Lloyd Goodleigh’s passing has added now to the list of those who believed in the value of people working and learning to create something better. In their time, Manley, Shearer and others led the charge, following in the footsteps of the early warriors. Other generations have come and gone and, even if a new group is hesitant at picking up the challenge, there will always be earning and a choice to choose. Workers are people too.

The count this year totals to four deaths. Farewell has been said to Hopeton Caven, leader of the Trade Union Congress; Clive Dobson, another executive of National Workers Union (NWU); and a Mr Thomas, of whom I do not know much. Each did what he had to do. The torch will still be raised by others and the spirit will not be broken. That is the best epitaph.

We cannot forget the challenge of the ’80s when women, in particular, became entangled in the “cut and sew” debacle. Who today recalls the scenario? US investors sent to Jamaica fabric cut and ready for sewing and, upon completion, it was returned to the US. All did not go well, resulting in an enquiry, commissioned by the Government of the day. Women fought the battle and overcame.

Even if “the investors” moved on, women workers here and elsewhere, must retain their rights. Not everybody saw it as a victory, but those who fought for what was right did what they did. Workers shouldn’t have to engage in combat to be treated as human beings. It is strange how we have completely wiped this from our memory. That’s what worker education means, then and now. We don’t have to repeat it but at least we should know it.

Christmas mash up…for some

In a recent edition of this publication, there was the report of 11 Jamaican women found at a nightclub in Nassau. After questioning, they were charged on several counts of criminal activities: prostitution, possession of dangerous drugs, armed robbery, firearm possession, and stealing. Wow!

Guilty or not guilty, Christmas mash up for the folks back home here waiting for foreign money. When will we learn?