Over sixteen Branches and Sections were in attendance for the General Secretary’s report presented by Brother Sherwood Clarke and discussion of the report. The General Secretary’s report covers as follows:
Trade Union Unity
Organizing new members
Union Property
Education and Training
The Union of the Community
Function sub-committee
Annual Bursary Award
Club Operation
Financial Matter
CCW Credit Union operations
Legal Matter
Future
Highlights of the General Secretary reports
As you would observe, we have not been able to meet as required by the Union’s Rule. This has been another area where the “STRENGTH” of the continued to be tested, by way of the demands for service and representation from our members was disconnected from the General Council after a long period. The General Secretary is a vanguard of democracy in making a special effort pulled off the General Council. In a period in which the General Secretary faced painful plans to disrupt our operations, the General Secretary was treated with contempt and undermined in some quarters.
If it is to be successful, the specific aim of restoring loss in the union and structures on active respect for democratic values and a clear-cut commitment from the union to act in the best interests of our members who elected us, rather than pander to Management interests.
The General Secretary reflects on the concerns and needs of our members everywhere, and it is by upholding Laws and Rules that can restore trust when our members are losing confidence in the and even in democracy itself.
We see some executive members willing to lie their way out with fake propaganda, to destroy the democratic system from within. The union that makes the right choices will see trust in democracy grow and show that promises of membership are strong.
The Union that fails to do this, that sides with the management and oligarch and refuses to hold to account those that subvert democracy deepens distrust and disengagement.
Several other industrial issues caught the attention of the Union at several establishments. Several of the Union’s Branch Officials got into trouble with the Management of their respective Companies and the Union is seeking to bring back some normalcy to the industrial relations climate.
ADMINISTRATION
We continue to grapple with the day-to-day activities of the Union at the same time serving our members, with the limited personnel on hand. The period under review was another trying one, with the General Secretary attempting to bring closure to several issues relating to the Branches and Sections and at the same time manage the day-to-day activities of the Union. It is impartment that we devote some time to sitting down and carefully planning how to overcome our present difficulties. We must be extremely careful in what we do and how we do it. We must plan carefully and carefully work our plan.
We are still to have our financial reports for the latter part of 2010 and that of the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 already prepared. This is a serious position we find ourselves in, taking into consideration that the next 5th Triennial Delegates Conference is in 2025, and it is expected that we have our financial reports to place before the Delegates.
The General Council has given the General Secretary the mandate to have the accountant carry out the work of doing financial records of the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Accountant and the Union. The accountant started the work on the financial records.
The General Secretary has completed the annual returns to submit to the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Union’s accounts will now be submitted to the Audit General Office to be audited.
CCW CREDIT UNION
Our union members who are members of the CCW Credit Union must be deeply involved in what is happening with members’ funds. It must be on record that the General Secretary asks to hisse more interest to credit union affairs. We must hisse close attention to what is happening to the Guyana Public Service Cooperative Credit Union Limited.
Regional
General President Kobena Paul had to attend the ITF Port Occupational Health and Safety Workshop in Bridgetown, Barbados the General Secretary was influential in him attending a report expected and his role as Trainer.
The Executive Member and Branch Secretary sister Shaziena Khan of the Sterling Products Limited Branch will be attending the IUF Young Workers meeting in Saint Lucia from March 17-21, 2024.
Sincerely,
CLERICAL & COMMERCIAL WORKERS’ UNION
Sherwood Clarke
General Secretary