THE GENESIS OF THE ST.

LUCIA LABOUR MOVEMENT – A

TRANSITION FROM CHATTEL SLAVES TO WAGE LABOURERS

By : Frank GIRARD

INTRODUCTION

A closer look at the genesis of the Saint Lucia Labour Movement reveals ample
evidence of an historical NEXUS between trade unionists and persons with political
ambitions. Evidently, this has been the case in Most, if not all the former British
colonies in the Caribbean that were eventually emancipated from chattel SLAVERY in
1834, that heinous CRIME visited upon the former African slaves and East Indian
indentured labourers who were transplanted from their native habitats in continental
Africa and India by rapacious imperial and colonial European enslavers. Indeed, such
human exploitation and oppression evolved from a colonialistic and imperialistic Old
World Pecking Order, that unleashed an anachronistic social, economic and political
system on an unsuspecting human civilization based on greed, selfishness and
divisiveness. The majority of Saint Lucians of African descent, are now reaping the
unfortunate social benefits of slavery and colonialism as imposed by those barbaric
English and French custodians of the Old World Order under the guise and pretext of
Christianity.

Renowned Jamaican Professor, Rex Nettleford O.M., former Director of the Trade Union
Education Institute of the University of the West Indies (UWI), tracing “The Impact of
Trade Unionism in Jamaica” in a special supplement to mark the 150th anniversary of
the GLEANER newspaper on May 6th, 1984 located the genesis of the labour movement
and the development of the working class in the Caribbean. He wrote : “The
Apprenticeship System, which lasted from 1834 until its premature, but inevitable end
in 1838, was the cradle of our modern industrial relations system, since it admitted into
the production relations a modicum of autonomy on the part of the labourers who
could have some control over how their labour was utilized from sunset to sunrise,
especially around crop time when the sugar enterprise became a 24-hour business.”

By this account, Professor Nettleford had simply pointed to that historical transition
from chattel slaves to wage labourers with the passage of the Emancipation Bill that
became an Act of the Imperial English Parliament in 1833. The imposition of Crown
Colony Government followed in 1866, to be administered by resident expatriate
Governors appointed by the Colonial Office in London.

SIR JOHN JEREMIE - ABOLITIONIST

It should be noted, that the famous British colonial judge, abolitionist and the late
first President of the Royal Court of Saint Lucia, Sir John Jeremie, threw much light
on the poor conditions of African chattel slaves in Saint Lucia. These revelations are
contained in Sir Jeremie’s “Four Essays On Colonial Slavery” first published in

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1831; and reportedly, “had considerable influence and was severely attacked by the
upholders of slavery” in the former British colony. In fact, Sir Jeremie was virtually
drummed out of Saint Lucia by the power elite for taking the side of the enslaved African
people and East Indian indentured labourers.

LORD MOYNE ROYAL COMMISSION

However, the exploitation and poor working conditions of the former African slaves and
East Indian indentured labourers continued unabated for another 100 years until the
1930s when all hell broke loose with a series of protracted riots, rebellions and strikes
by the working class whose working conditions on the plantations and estates of the
former white Slave Masters had not improved with the passage of that 1833
Emancipation Law in England. Then came the appointment of a Royal Commission by
the British Government under the chairmanship of Lord Moyne in 1937.

The Moyne Commission, which also included Sir. Walter Citrine, then General Secretary
of the British Trade Union Congress, had visited a number of British colonies to
investigate the root cause(s) of the working class riots, strikes and rebellions. In a final
Report, the Moyne Commission had made a number of recommendations including the
establishment of trade unions and bargaining agents on behalf of the aggrieved workers.
The British Parliament then passed the Colonial Development and Welfare Act of 1940
that sought to improve the deplorable social and economic conditions in the former
British colonies. At that time, another important piece of legislation to be introduced in
St. Lucia and other British colonies was the Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Act of
1940.

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

It was at this juncture, that the Labour Movement in the Caribbean sprung to life with the
intervention of modern day political protagonists to advance the cause of the exploited
working class for freedom and social justice. According to historical accounts, that
struggle was led by Jamaica’s Alexander Bustamante, Trinidad’s Uriah Butler, Barbados’
Clement Payne and Grenada’s T.A. Marryshaw.

In Saint Lucia, the pioneers of the Labour Movement were – Charles Augustin, Martin
JnBaptiste and George F. L. Charles, who became Saint Lucia’s first Chief Minister
following the electoral victory of the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) in 1951 and again
in 1954 and 1956. The Saint Lucia Workers Cooperative Union was the first labour
organization to be launched in January 1939 influenced by the recommendations of the
Lord Moyne Commission. Reportedly, this union was first registered in 1940 under the
Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Regulations. The executive officers appointed to serve
were – Mr. R.G.H. Clarke, a Pharmacist as President, Mr. R. L. Scott, as Secretary and
Mr. Randolph Roberts, as Treasurer. Other foundation members were – John Pilgrim,
George Cooper, Job James, J.B.D. Osbourne, Lewis Charles, Henry Belizaire and Henry
Pollard.

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In 1949, the Saint Lucia Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union became the second
labour organization to be formed on the island. The first elected President was Mr. F. J.
Carasco and the first elected Secretary was Mr. Allan Louisy. Other foundation members
were – Julian Compton, L.T. Augier McVane, J. B. D. Osbourne and O’thaneil Alcee.

REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS

The Trade Unions and Trade Disputes Order 1974 (Amendment No. 3) now governs the
establishment of trade unions in Saint Lucia. There are now 14 registered trade unions as
follows :

1. St. Lucia Workers Cooperative Union

2. St. Lucia Seamen, Waterfront and General Workers Union.
3. Vieux Fort General & Dock Workers Union
4. St. Lucia Civil Service Association (CSA)
5. National Workers Union (NWU)
6. St. Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU)
7. St. Lucia Nurses Association
8. St. Lucia Employers’ Federation (SLEF)
9. National Farmers Association
10. St. Lucia Association of Executive & Supervisory Trade Unions
11. St. Lucia Prison Association
12. Alliance of Management Personnel
13. St. Lucia Bee-Keepers Association
14. Southern Taxi Association

However, three (3) of the largest and most active trade unions came together in an
historic amalgamation under the “Industrial Solidarity Pact” (ISP). They were – the
National Workers Union (NWU), the Saint Lucia Teachers Union (SLTU) and the
Saint Lucia Civil Service Association (CSA). The CSA, which was formally registered
in 1951 began operations in 1947 under the presidency of former Governor, Sir Ira
Simmons, whose tenure came to an end in 1950. He was followed by former Prime
Minister, Mr. Allan Louisy from 1950-56. Other CSA presidents were : Swithen
Schouten (1956-60), St. George Murray (1960-64), Greaham Louisy (1964-72),
Cyril Matthew (1972-76), Calixte George (1976-79), David Demacque (1979-92),
Martin Satney (1992-97), Raphael C.K. St. Hill (1997-99), Terrence Leonard (1999-
2001), Dwight Lay (2001-2003); followed by Francis Raphael; and the current CSA
President is Dosserie.

The CSA is one of the largest trade unions on the island with close to 3000 members,
represented on several Government Boards and continues to play a major role in the
development of industrial relations in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean as a whole. It is
affiliated to Public Service International (PSI) and Caribbean Public Service
Association (CPSA). The CSA, recorded the longest strike in the entire Caribbean
in 1979 totalling 59 days. To date, the organization has been served by some 14
presidents. The CSA began bargaining collectively for its members in the Public

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Service in the1970s. Previously, wage increases for government officers were
determined by commissions appointed by the Colonial Governments. The NWU
and SLTU also have an enviable track-record in collective bargaining.

LABOUR LEGISLATION

There are various pieces of Labour Legislation to provide basic guidelines to both
Employers and Employees in St. Lucia, as follows:

1. Shop Hours Ordinance Chapter 245 of 1942

2. Wages Regulations (Clerks) Order No. 14 of 1985
3. Holidays With Pay Ordinance No. 16 of 1965
4. Protection of Wages Ordinance No. 23 of 1965
5. Contracts of Service Act No. 14 of 1970
6. Employees (Occupational Health & Safety) Act No. 10 of 1985

Recently, three (3) other pieces of Labour Legislation relating to trade unions and
employment have been entered on the Statute Books, as follows:

1. Registration, Status and Recognition of Trade Unions and Employers

Organizations Act No. 42 of 1999

2. Equality of Opportunity and Treatment in Employment and Occupation Act

No. 9 of 2001

3. Minimum Wage Act No. 27 of 1999

THE LABOUR NEXUS

The Moyne Commission also paved the way for Saint Lucians to be granted Universal
Adult Suffrage in 1951 – they were then given the legal and constitutional right to VOTE
in ministerial General Elections, held for the very first time in 1951. The political parties
contesting the eight (8) electoral seats were – the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP)
founded in 1950 and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) also founded in 1950. The
SLP then won 5 of the 8 electoral seats. General Elections were again held in 1954, at
which time a youthful Sir John G.M. Compton successfully contested the Dennery
-Micoud seat as an “Independent Labour” against SLP’s candidate, James Charles.
However, the SLP again won 5 of the 8 electoral seats. On March 1, 1956, there were
further constitutional changes in Saint Lucia with the introduction of a partial system of
ministerial governance under the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP). The SLP won 7 of the
8 electoral seats in the General Elections of 1957. Sir John who won as an SLP
candidate was given the ministerial portfolio of Trade and Industry. In 1959, there were
further changes made to the Saint Lucia Constitution that made provision for the
appointment of a Chief Minister as Head of Government for the first time. Sir George F.
L. Charles was then sworn in as Chief Minister on January 1, 1960.

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At this juncture, Sir John reportedly resigned from the government in preparation for the
1961 General Elections which the SLP won. At this time, trouble was brewing with Sir
John being backed by the PPP; having petitioned the High Court to declare the 1961
General Elections null and void, claiming that the political candidates were given a
bogus form for their signature. That petition went before Judge Chanery for his ruling.
The ruling was in favour of the petitioners; but the SLP Government won the legal
battle with a validating Order in Council. A militant Sir John was now furious and by
the end of 1963 had moved a Vote of No Confidence in the Government.

The National Labour Movement then merged with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
to form the United Workers Party (UWP), which successfully contested the General
Elections on June 25, 1964. Sir John then had his first taste of chief ministerial power.
However, George Charles and Martin JnBaptiste retained their electoral seats of South
Castries and Anse-La-Raye/Canaries, respectively. Sir John went on to become the first
Premier of Saint Lucia having acquired “Associated Statehood” from Great Britain in
1967. He later became the first Prime Minister of Saint Lucia with the attainment of
Political Independence on February 22nd, 1979.

The SLP was returned to power in 1979 under the political leadership of retired High
Court Judge, Allan Louisy. This was short-lived due to a protracted internal power-
struggle between the incumbent Prime Minister and the late George Odlum. The UWP
was returned to power in 1982 with Sir John as Prime Minister. Sir John gave up the
prime ministership in 1996 to make way for Dr. Vaughan Lewis, former Director-General
of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The SLP, which had a change
of political leadership in the person of Dr. Kenny D. Anthony had a landslide victory on
May 23, 1997. The SLP was again returned to power in the General Elections of
December 2001.

It is evident, that the labour movement continues to serve as a springboard for people
with political ambitions and aspirations.

DRAFT LABOUR CODE

In April 2001, the International Labour Organization (ILO) submitted a technical

memorandum to the Government of Saint Lucia concerning the Draft Labour Code for
Saint Lucia. This forms part of the Labour Law Reform process that began with high-
level discussions in 1998. On September 13th, 1999 the Government of Saint Lucia
notified the ILO of its intentions and readiness to proceed with a comprehensive
REVIEW of the island’s Labour Legislation. The ILO Caribbean Regional Office had
hired an external collaborator, Dr. Rose-Marie Antoine – Anthony, to serve as an
international Labour Law Expert. The Draft Labour Code was subject to public and
private sector consultations, including the major trade unions on the island, which
requested more time to study the 259-page document. Saint Lucia’s existing Labour

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Code was drafted by Professor Cronin in 1977 and is believed to have outlived its
usefulness, in keeping with modern industrial relations principles and practices.

Prior to the General Elections of December 11th, 2006 the incumbent SLP Government,
reportedly hurried the passage and approval of the new Labour Code in Parliament. But
the new UWP Government has suspended the enactment of the new Labour Code
pointing out that the document must be subject to further public scrutiny by all
concerned parties and stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Hence, the
national debate on the proposed enactment of new Labour Code continues apace. No
doubt, the Opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) has been agitating for the new
Labour Code to be taken to its final stage of enactment. It is widely believed, that the
rights of Saint Lucian workers must be advocated and protected from the ravages of
liberalization and globalization in the highly-competitive marketplace locally, regionally
and globally.

REVISION OF THE LAWS OF ST. LUCIA

Meanwhile, the British firm of Eyre and Spottiswoode had signed an Agreement with
the Saint Lucian Government on September 18th, 2001 to undertake a complete revision
of the laws of the State, which were last revised in 1957 – over 45 years ago in
accordance with the Laws of Saint Lucia (Reform and Revision) Ordinance No. 21 of
1954 comprising six (6) volumes. Under this new Agreement, Eyre and Spottiswoode
has undertaken to :

1. Create an electronic database of all the existing laws of Saint Lucia;

2. Within 3-years, to revise, proof, print and publish the Revised Laws in
accordance with certain agreed specifications; and

3. Within 10-years, to publish and print a maximum of seven (7) annual

editions of the Law Revision Supplement.

Dear reader, please do take note.

ENDS===========