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BERMUDA C LLEG£ LIBRARY WORKER CLAIMS LEGAL 'DISCRIMINATION'! Former BBC employee told he Vol. 15. No. 4. Price: 15 cents Hamilton, Bermuda-Friday, Oct. 10, 1986 cannot be represented by BlU Brother Deryck Symonds — one of the former employees of the Bermuda Broadcasting Name the Theatrel Company who has accused that company of discrimination — has been informed by the Mini- istry of Community Affairs that his case, along with five other aggrieved persons, will be heard The Executive Board of the BlU is asking by a Commission of Inquiry. However, Brother Symonds was told by the Ministry that he can­ its members and the community as a whole to not be represented by the Bermuda Industrial Union. NAME THE THEATRE. All persons interest­ This came to light this week when Mr. Loudru Robinson, the director, acting on the ad­ ed in suggesting a name for the cinema, which vice of the Attorney Genera), said that Symonds "shall be entitled to be represented by coun­ is situated in the new union building, are sel at the whole Inquiry". In other words, neither the BlU nor any other agent other than a asked to put the proposed name in an envel­ lawyer can represent Symonds. ope and deposit it at the BlU reception. Mark it "NAME THE THEATRE". Symonds, better known as Cousin Juicy, told The Workers Voice that he and his union­ ised colleagues decided that the union would represent them at the hearing. "I have a right to be represented by anyone I choose and I selected the BlU. "I've already paid a price by losing my job at BBC. Now they want me to pay again — by hiring a lawyer." He went on to say that the Human Rights Commission found in favour of he and his colleagues by deciding that the company was, in fact, guilty of discrimination. "So why should I have to go through the ex­ pense of hiring a lawyer? This is very unreasonable, in my opinion", he said. He also pointed out that "other people have been known to represent themselves in a court of law." Cousin Juicy concluded by saying: "Even if I have to be represented by a lawyer, I want my case to be heard. I know I was discriminated against because I'm black and because of my union membership." In the meantime, a BlU spokesperson said: "In light of this development, we have called a meeting of the group, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14. We will discuss this question of representation at that meeting."

BUYS HOME. Brother Calvert Bean, BlU Education Officer {left front), is congratulated by Credit Union pres­ ident. Brother Austin Wade following Bean's purchase of the home in which he has resided for 15 years in Ireland OFF TO ITALY. Brother Clarence Light- Island. The BlU Members Credit bourne (above), the second vice president of Union assisted Brother Bean in secur­ the Bermuda Industrial Union, left the Island ing the house from the West End De­ on Thursday for Turin, Italy, where he will do velopment Company. Other board of a four-week course on teacher training. The directors of the CU in the picture are course is sponsored by the International Kenyetta Young, Doreen Lightbourn, Labour Organisation (ILO). Cal Smith and Alfred Bean. OOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOGOOOOOOOOOGOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOGOO OOOO OOOOOOOOOO 00 OOOOOO 00 00 00 oooooo Dr, Ball tells College students about trade unions The Research Officer of the Bermuda Industrial Union, Sister They had learned about the Industrial Revolution in Britain, and Barbara Ball, spoke to some 65 students at the Sixth Form Education Dr. Ball told them something about the beginning of the trade union Centre on Monday, September 29. Her subject was the history of the movement in that country where the movement was bom. She then trade union movement in Bermuda. The lecture was part of a compre­ turned to Bermuda and her audience was surprised to learn that the hensive course on "Civilisation", which the students, aged between 17 first imion in Bermuda was formed by a group of black teachers in and 19, have been studying. 1919 — the Bermuda Union of Teachers (BUT). At that time, Ber­ muda's society was totally segregated. She told them about the formation of the Bermuda Workers Asso­ ciation, out of which the Bermuda Industrial Union grew. In the early forties, when the Americans started to build their Bases in Bermuda, the Bermudian workers employed there were paid the same wages as their American counterparts. The American rate of pay for a labourer was US$10 per day and the rate for a mechanic was US$15. LABOUR BOARD PASSES LAW The white rulers of Bermuda formed a Labour Board that was re­ sponsible for the hiring of all local labour for the Bases, and passed a law that those Bermudian workers should be paid the same rates as the workers in the local private sector. A mechanic was earning ten shillings (US.60 cents) a day and a labourer received five shillings (U'^''^^20) per day. Naturally, the Bermudians who had been getting Iti S. rates of pay were very upset about this, so they got together MU. lormed the Bermuda Workers Association. Today, Dr. Ball told them, there are 11 registered trade unions in Bermuda, two of which are the Employers Council and the Hotel Employers of Bermuda (HEB). The Workers Voice learned that, because the time allowed was so short — twenty minutes — and the subject being very comprehensive, it was suggested that she return for a further session so that the students may gain a fuller understanding of the trade union movement in general and trade unions in Bermuda in parlicul.iv. A PAPER ON INDEPENDENCE Editor's note: The following is the second bargaining power that will accrue to Bermu­ At stake is the maintenance of a high level part of a discussion paper prepared by Calvin da, from its control over some 600,000 round of confidence, that the move towards indep­ Smith that was delivered to the BlU General trip fares to Bermuda, has to be regarded as a endence will not diminish the profitability of Council recently: major benefit of independence. the foreign enterprises. According to the White Paper on Independ­ In summary, it can be said that the Govern­ For, should these fail, then the industries ence, produced by the former premier Sir ment White Paper is correct in its conclusion which support the international sector will John David Gibbons, independence for Ber­ that the problems facing Bermuda, upon ach­ fail and Bermuda's fragile economy will coll­ muda is simply a matter of England giving up ieving independence, need not be related to apse, like a house of cards. responsibility for Bermuda's external defence, how it makes its living. BUSI^'ESS STRATEGY internal security, certain diplomatic arrange­ The problems will relate to the expression An interesting approach to examining this ments and responsibility for shipping regis­ of unjustified fears, generated through ignor­ question is to look at independence as a ters and civil aviation. These are the official ance and inadequate preparation for the tran­ problem of business strategy. issues. sition period and subsequent life after Indep­ Using this approach, one would begin by endence Day. It is difficult to im^ne an external invas­ examining the impeding factors, impelling ion of Bermuda, with or without England's How we earn our Uving should be enhanced factors, threats and opportunities. One would protection. Modem day excursions by nat­ directly as a result of increased decision-mak­ then recommend appropriate policies, based ions into other territories, usually occur be­ ing power on vital transportation links and, upon this analysis. tween nations sharing borders. indirectly, as a result of broadened contacts Impeding factors are those which are part and opportunities. Bermuda shares no border with any nation, of the general social environment, which act nor is it the subject of a territorial dispute, to impede or slow-up the successful attain­ such as was the case for the Falklands. ment of independence. Given the undisputed nature of England's In Bermuda, I could list the following: claim to Bermuda, it can, in effect, give clear a) Inadequate representation of black in­ terests in the House of Assembly; title to an independent Bermuda. ECONOMIC OPTIONS b) inadequate representation in the legis­ Under such circumstances, world opinion Bermuda's economic options pertain to the lature for the worker classes; would be fully s^ainst intervention by an un­ choices available to Bermuda, with respect to c) over-representation of big business inter­ friendly power in Bermuda's internal affairs. the development and management of the Ber­ ests in the legislature and machinery of gov­ FOREIGN REPRESENTATION muda economy. ernment. To date, Bermuda has not shown itself cap- At the moment, Bermuda's economic op­ These impeding factors lead to a break­ fU>le of handling a migor breakdown in law tions seem to be limited to some combination down of trust and make the conduct of lab­ and order, having called upon the British of international business and tourism. But our/management relations needlessly diffi­ army on at least two occasions, since the ad­ these two industries have a heavy dependence cult. vent of party government. upon economic factors that are not under Impelling factors are those that exist in However, given proper training and equip­ Bermuda's control. the environment and which act to speed up ment, there is every reason to be confident These factors are as follows: a) foreign or to facilitate the successful attainment of that the Bermudian security forces will be ownership b) foreign capital c) foreign man- independence. able to handle future breakdowns in law and i^ement d) foreign professional and technic­ Impelling factoi's are as follows: order. al labour; a large, relatively unskilled, foreign labour force, and foreign markets. a) the friendly, cooperative nature of Ber­ Hie much-discussed question of Bermud­ mudians. ian diplomatic representation in foreign coun­ Given the preponderance of dependence b) a fully developed economy; tries is not worth the attention it is given. In upon foreign decisions for our wellbeing, any c) an independent financial system, that fact, on the whole matter of external relat­ move towards independence must be taken can manage all our financial endeavours; ions, foreign policy and defence, the govern­ with full consideration of its impact upon ment White Paper has this to say: foreign decision-makers. =^======Continued on page 8======"The purpose of overseas representation would be to protect and increase Bermuda's essential economic interests and to preserve the freedom of personal mobility presently GUARANTEED enjoyed by Bermudians. RAISES & PROMOTIONS "Consequently, it would eventually be­ come necessary for government to arrange WITH GREAT BENEFITS^ with some friendly power for consular rep­ resentation, in most parts of the world, as it AND VACATIONS .^ is impractical for Bermuda to provide these services, from lack of both economic and human resources. (White Paper, 1979, Pg. 9). IGNORANT FEARS Hie one, clear benefit that will accrue to Bermuda, with the exit of England, will be the increased control over Civil Aviation. The

/'^PLUS IRONCLA-D The Workers Voice JOB SECURITY AND Published and Printed by SENIORITY RjGHTb THE BERMUDA INDUSTRIAL UNION Union Square, Hamilton, Bermuda Editor Barbara B. Ball Assistants Lionel Pearman and Doreon Lightbourn General Council Representatives: George Baisden, Austin Thomas & Kenyetta Young Telephone: 2 0044, Ext. 121 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1986 •+++++++++-f++- -+++++++++- The Wo-I^ers Voice. Friday. Oct 10 1086 3 Leofran Tucker I Charles BJytT leaves for I dies in the UK i ! i. vv.l^ wi'ih dtep (i-j-j(L:i ^.t . . m.: i,.' .Mriueia 'liui.iir cil Udioti l>-;diiibd'ft the prjiSiritj ut a Masonry course 'jou:'- iriend uf ihe Bt;ri;,udii labou. mo\/e- ineni. Brother Charlie BIyth, general secre­ tary of the International Transport Workers Federation (IfF) from 1968 to his r^nii-e- in Jamaica ment m 1977, died on September 24 at the age of 70. A Bermudian construction worker and Members may remember when Charhe member of the BlU Construction Division has visited Bermuda in 1974 during the Modern started a ten-month course in Masonry Inst­ Mart strike. He took time out to walk in ruction at the University of the West Indies in LEOFRAN TUCKER the picket line at the Paget supermarket. Jamaica. that we have seen an increasing number of Charlie went to sea at the age of 16 as a Brother Leofran Tucker left Bermuda rec­ foreign tradesmen being brought in to do deckhand and over the next sixteen years ently to start his studies at the wellknown jobs that have tradltionaiiy been done by served in every kind of of merchant ship, Caribbean university. He is the first Bermu­ Bermudians. ' first as a rating and finally as a first mate. ^ dian to take this course, which is subsidized Brother Kenyetta Youny, organiser for the He came ashore in 1948 and became a full- by the Bermuda Department of Education. Construction Division, echoed these senti time official with the British National When he has qualified, Bro. Tucker intends ments. "We have felt tor some time that train Union of Seamen (NUM). to return to Bermuda, where he will be teach­ ing in the various consttur-tion trades should In March, 1965, he was seconded to the ing Masonry at the Bermuda College. be given at the Bermuda College, " he told ITF for a special assignment in Hong Kong He has worked in the construction indust­ us. "Officials of our Division hope that Bro. where seafarers' engagement and recruit­ ry for about fiften years, as a mason and told Tucker is just the first of many Bermudians ment were largely unregulated and open to Workers Voice that he felt it was important who will acquire the necessary skills to train corruption. In 1966, he was appointed as for more young Bermudians to be encouraged young Bermudians and to encourage therm to secretary of the ITF Special Seafarers' Sec­ to come into the construction industry. enter the construction industry," tion, which administers the ITF flag-of-con- venience campaign, and in 1967 he became "I feel that this is a breakthrough for the He added that this was a start in the riqht an assistant general secretary. construction industry in Bermuda", he said. direction, "to show young Bermudians the "Young Bermudians have not been encour many advantages there are to being a skilled BIyth was elected general secretary of aged to enter the industry, with the result tradesman." the ITF at its Congress in Wiesbaden, Ger­ many in 1968 and was unanimously re-elec­ ted in 1971 and 1974. On his retirement at the ITF's Congress in Dublin in 1977, he was appointed by the British Government Co-op hires first male cashier as chairman of the National Dock Labour Visitors to the Co-op Supermarket recently English, History and writing. He also enjovs Board, the statutory body which regulates have been surprised to see a smart young man reading and reads "a lot." the supply and allocation of dockers. working at one of the check-out counters. When so many young, black Bermudians The Executive Board of the BlU sent At a time when the focus is on the numbers are planning to find jobs abroad, when they condolences to his wife and family follow­ of Bermudian women taking jobs that have have finished their studies , because they feel ing a report of Chadie's death from Brother previously been regarded as male preserves, there is no opportunity for them in Bermuda, Harold Lewis, general secretary of the ITF. Brother Delroy Nolan is reversing the proced­ it is encouraging to meet one young, black ure, by taking a job generally regarded as one Bermudian who intends to return to his own for females. country when he has completed his studies. An ambitious, young black Bermudian, one And who intends to use his acquired skills How About That! of the four children of Sister Evelyn Nolan, to play a meaningful part in the running of Americiin presidents have often been given a member of the BlU Hotels, Restaurants and his country. nicknames by U.S. citizens — sometimes af­ Nightclubs Division, Bro. Nolan passed in fectionate, sometimes derisive. For some time five subjects in the GCE exams. now, we have been suggesting a perfect nick­ name for the current president of the L'nited He is no stranger to the Coop, having wor States: Ronald "ROSE" Reagan. ked in the meat department, after leaving Sandys Secondary school in 1980. This would be most appropriate for one Later that year, he went to live with his who, despite the faults and failings of those grandmother in Washington DC, where he within his administration, and some slip-ups got a job with a theatrical production com­ on his part, always seems to come up "smell­ pany. ing like a rose". And wc heard recenUy thai the L'nited The young man admits that his present States will make the ROSE its national flow­ job is just a means to an end. He hopes to er. !s this a coincidence? save up enought money to enrol in Howard University in Washington D.C., where he wants to study Mass Communication, Brother Nolan says he is very interested in OCTOBER IS ^ politics. His favourite subjects at school w"'n OOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I IT PAYS TO I bNEAR YOUR: DELROY NOLAN * SHOP AT THE CO-OP SUPERMARKET - ^ THIS MONTH AND DISCOVER I LITTER IS A SLAP IN BERMUDA'S FACE ^ HARD HAT! ^ . . . AND YOURS. PITCH IN AND HELP ^ VALUES THAT ARE SURE TO PLEASE^' * 0 0 TO KEEP BERMUDA BEAUTIFULl * * * •+ i * * * * ^- A **•(,•*« -1 00000000000000000000 aimgnmiimmmAJUU88S88888B8888888888B88aS^ Portworkers' President Furbert sounds off on member apathy mWm*§i1iSee0SBBEB88EBESaa388SEB^^ "In the last couple of yean, I have been getting the feeling that Churchill Secondary School for Boys at Prospect - today the Robert many of our members seem to be uninterested in Union affairs. For too Crawford School. He left school at the age of 16 and got a job on Ham­ many of them are not really interested in attending divisional meetings ilton Docks, where he has worked ever since. or the excellent educational seminars put on by the BlU Education De­ When he started work on the Docks, he says, there was not 40- partment - as long as everything is going smoothly on the job," hour work week. "It was casual labour". Shortly after, he became a The speaker Is Brother Chris Noel Furbert, president of the Port- member of the Safety Committee, representing the Union. In 1974, workers Division of the Bermuda Industrial Union. As he talks, one can Chris was elected on the Portworkers Committee and in the late seven­ >ee the very real concern he feels for the future of the Union. He is also ties he moved up to vice president of the Division. Since then, he has i/ice president of the Pembroke-Hamilton Club. served three tenns as president. The dockworkere of Bermuda have long been the champions of TOO MUCH TO LOSE the trade union movement in this Island. And, under the leadership of Chris expresses his concern, not only about the Union, but also Chris Furbert, the Portworkers Division proudly upholds that tradition. about the direction in which this country is going. "We seem to have But, as Chris points out, "I've gotten our priorities ail mixed up", noticed that, with some other div­ he says, "and you can see that with isions of the BlU, a meeting has to our members. A lot of them only be called two or three times before seem to belong to the Union so that tfiey can get a quorum." if they have a problem with the DANGEROUS COMPLACENCY boss, they can run to Union Square He believes that this general atti­ to have someone come and sort it tude of apathy on the part of many out for them." of our members may be due, in But, as he points out, this is cer­ part, to a feeling of complacency — tainly not the only purpose of a "which is very dangerous]" union. While he may criticise the atti­ Says Chris: "As a committed tudes of some of his brothers and trade unionist, I feel I have a re­ sisters in the Union, Chris also feels sponsibility to contribute towards that the quality of the leaderehip the continued strength and growth may be partly responsible for some of my Union." And he recognises of these attitudes. "I feel some­ that it is up to him and other Union times, that our leaders spend too members to take an active part in much time handling petty griev­ maintaining that strength and ances that should be handled on the growth. "As a member of the BlU, job by the shop steward who has I feet that it is up to me to get in­ been elected to do that", he says. volved in ALL Union activities", "This means they (the leaders) says Chris. don't have the time to spend on the He says that the Union has come larger and very important issues a long way since its formation in that face our Union and the trade the mid-forties. "Today we have a union movement in Bermuda to­ flourishing Co-op Supermarket and day." Credit Union, as well as a Taxi Co­ Perhaps, he says, it may be that op. And we own other property the elected shop stewards and div­ within the City limits. Very soon isional officers don't fully under­ now, we hope to see the comple­ stand the responsibilities of their tion of a fine new headequarters jobs. building. Any member should be proud to be a member of the BlU!" Brother Frubert was born on But, by the same token, he says, Christmas Day, 1952 in Pembroke. when the power and effectiveness He is the second youngest of the six of our Union is being threatened by children (four boys and two girls) repressive or regressive labour legis­ of carpenter Lionel Stanley and Ita lation — like that contained in the Furbert (nee Robinson). UBP Government's recently pre­ From Northlands Primary, Chris sented White Paper on Labour Re­ moved on to what was then the lations — "then every Union member should be prepared to stand up and fight." • o oooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o Chris feels strongly that we should be tell­ o Subscribe to I ing the Government, in no uncertain terms, o "We will NOT allow you to destroy some­ o thing that has taken us some 40 years to build o The Workers Voice » up!" o o THE WHITE PAPER o I enclose $6.00 for one (1) year's subscription to THE WORKERS VOICE o Brother Furbert says he is really concerned o o about the kind of life and society in which his o Name. . ° son; Chris Jr., and other young Bermudians 0 o will be growing up in. o Address ° But Chris is one parent who ' ot prepared 0 o to sit back and just let things I >en. "I feel o o strongly that, if we, the parents of today, do 0 o not do something now to change the present 0 Overseas subscription: $9.50 for one year o system, then there is going to be NO future o for our children in Bermuda". 0 Mail to: THE WORKERS VOICE o 0 As an example of what he sees as a lack of o c 0 The Bermuda Industrial Union, Union Square, Hamilton HMIO, Bermuda o concern, on the part of BlU members, Chris • c 0O0O0000O00000000OQ00000000000000000OO# ======-(Continued on page 5)======The Workers Voice. Friday, Oct. 10, 1986 5

O STATE that the ever present racial battles in Azania (the correct name for South Africa) are over the use or non- THE CRISIS OF WHITE Tuse of the Dutch-derived Afrikaans lan­ guage by the indigenous black population is to dismiss the facts of history and laugh at the truth. MINORITY RULE What is happening In South Africa, as well -l--l--H--H--l--l-+-f-H+-H-++-H--H-'H--H--H-h-l"«"H-("l-H-+-f- Congress (ANC), and re-organised itself. as in the rest of Africa, is simply a struggle Editor's note: This article has been adapted In the meantime, the ANC caused a split for a continent It is also a struggle against by Mr. Randolph Scott from "Enemies - The and, under the direction of Robert Sobukwe, the very brutal system of white supremacy Clash of Races" by Haki Madhubuti - Don L. the Pan African Congress was born, April 17, that regulates the lives of the majority black Lee. 1959. population. South Africa is the key to the -H--H--H++-H-l-+-H--H--f+++-H--t--l--l-+-l--(--t-+-*--*--H--HH--l- AS a result of the formation of these two Western world's survival, as it is now the last ership of Jan Van Ricbeek, arrived in Azania organisations, the Vervoed Government out­ bastion of white power in Africa. and began setting up commercial settlements lawed the two groups, as being a "threat to Azania has a population of about 22 mil­ throughout the land. public safety". lion; 17 million are black; 2.7 million are des­ The intrusion of whites met with black res­ Mass demonstrations were held, as a result ignated as coloured (non-white persons of istance, resulting in the deaths of millions of of the Government action and, on March 21, mixed parentage or Asians) and 3.3 million blacks and the enslavement of others. These 1960, there was a day of "antipass camgain- are white. series of wars were known as the Kaffir Wars. ing," This demonstration marked the turning In 1625, the Dutch (Boere) under the lead- In 1795, the British moved to annex the point in South African history. Cape areas, then occupied by the Boers. This For the results of that demonstration are resulted in tribal conflict between'the British today known as the Sharpville Massacre. and the Dutch, with the Dutch finally being Shortly after that massacre, came the mass­ Chris Fuitert forced inland. acre at Soweto, when hundreds of blacks In 1806, the British and French bumped died and thousands were injured. ======(Cont'""ed from page 4)=====--= heads and the British re-took the Cape and mentions the poor turnout of members at the began to consolidate their power over the COMMUNIST "BOGEY" House of Assembly, when the White Paper blacks, as well as other non-British whites. The Reagan administration is attempting was being tabled. As the 19th century moved to its close, to put a black, as an ambassador to South Af­ "It was decided at a General Membership the major European powers (including the rica, and it is a wild dog in disguise. meeting, at the Devonshire Recreation Club, United States) met in Berlin (at the Berlin To equate the black Civil Rights movement that ALL members, would take time out to Conference of 1885) and systematically div­ in the United States with the struggle of the visit the House of Assembly on Friday, July ided Africa among themselves. blacks in South Africa is not only incorrect 4, when the Minister for Home Affairs was but, by definition, and if accepted by the Af­ During this period, diamonds and gold going to present his White Paper" he said. ricans, will, in effect, cripple their movement. were discovered in vast quantities, in the area "We have 67 members in our Division" which had been re-settled by the Boers, after Thus, it will give the white minority time said Chris," and , except for two who were their defeat at the hands of the British. to re-group and consolidate their viscious con­ away on holiday, everybody turned up, he trol. By this time, the super-racist, Cecil Rhodes, said. One must clearly understand that the Rep­ had arrived with a plan, to make all of the Yet out of a membership of 6,000, only ublic of South Africa is the last nation on the land under white settlement part of the Brit­ about 300-400 turned up. He added: "This African continent in which international corp­ ish Empire. was an issue which holds grave consequences orations can operate with maximum profit This resulted in another tribal war, between for the future of a healthy trade union move­ and minimum investment in labour and mat­ the British and the Boers. This was known as ment in Bermuda, but also which could turn erials. back the clock and take away all itie rights the Boer War of 1899-1902. A war that was won by the British. There are very few markets in the world as and benefits for which a generation of work­ valuable as Africa. Today, in Africa, there are In 1910, the British Cape and Natal colon­ ers fought so hard." over 40 nations of undeveloped and misdevel- ies joined hands with the Boer Republic and ACTION NOW! oped status. These countries are looking for the Orange Free State, to form the Union of He sard that, if we count the husbands and the latest in technology, science and Western South Africa, which later became a member wives and children of BlU members, "We're industrial know-how. of the British Commonwealth. talking about some 18,000 persons, almost The most logical place, as far as the West one third of the population of Bermuda, with BLACK RESISTANCE is concerned, for for African nations to ac­ connections to the trade union movement. In 1948, under the direction of the South quire these resources, is from South Africa. "With those numbers, if we cannot find African Nationalist Party (non-British), the In other words, South Africa must become the power to order our affairs and plan our whites began to institutionalize their racial the African headquarters for much of the destiny, then there is something very wrong". policies, under a system of apartheid (apart­ Western world's industrial and technological Chris feels that, for a start, all BlU shop ness), and in 1961, the Union of South Af­ business. stewads and divisional officers should be en­ rica broke official ties with the Common­ ======{Continued on page 6)^======couraged to get really involved in all Union wealth, and the former colony became the activities. "This could be the first step in a Republic of South Africa. campaign to reach, not only all our members, Black resistance to this madness grew but also members of the community at large". quickly, with the formation of the Union of Happy Birthday! He says it has to start somewhere, and the Africans. The South African Native Nation­ best place would be on the shop floors and als Congress was founded in 1912and in 1925 within the Divisions themselves. it changed its name to the African National He concluded, "I sincerely believe that it's time that all Bermudians woke up and realised Discover your credit union. what's going on, and that the future of our children and of our country depends on what we do - or don't do - TODAY. Not tomor­ row." And he warns, "Otherwise, one day, our complacency and lack of interest will come back to haunt us." It is obvious that this Union brother cares very deeply, not only about the welfare of his Union, but also about the welfare of his coun­ try and his people, as a whole. But actions speak louder than words, and Congratulations and best wishes to: Brother Chris Furbert has shown by his act­ Brother Michael Cox, president of the Tele­ ions that he is one of the DOERS and not We're doing nvore for you. phone Division, who will celebrate his birth­ just a TALKER. day October 21. 6 The Workers Voice. Friday, Oct. 10, 1986 THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE Following is the last in the series on the ies of Cheddi Jagan's yovfjcnment) could gain plight of Asian minorities in Africa and the By ALVIN WILLIAMS the political power. Caribbean countries: These actions led to Forb'is Burnham seiz­ All this racial polarization, between East The East Indians viewed this as a final ing power, but not before a bitter period of Indians and blacks, culminated in mass racial move to block them from ever gaining poli political struggle, which resulted in the death violence in 1964. Britain stepped in again, tical power. In reality, it was a device by of 150 persons, with a decision to change the electoral system which the British intended that the political Despite the clear lacial divisions which dog­ from a "first past the post" arrangement, to party, led by Forbes Burnham (which it view­ ged the Jagan Government, it is a fact that he one of proportional representation. ed as a better alternative to the socialist polic- led a genuine ind'^pendence movement which had, at its beginning, united the two ethnic groups in Guyana. Britain intervened, it said, to prevent fur­ ther racial violence. But it was really on ideol­ ogical grounds that the British had sought to frustrate and finally overthrow the Jagan gov­ ernment. America too, had been involved. For this was the period of the early sixties, with the Cuban missile crisis and American fears of Russia's mtentions in the Caribbean. The exact nature of America's involvement is undocumented, though it is believed that it was the American influence over the black- dominated trade unions (which called a Gen­ eral Strike in 1963) that finally toppled the Jagan government. At any rate, the authoritarian, almost dic­ tatorial rule of Forbes Burnham, right up to his recent death, put the lid on further polit­ ical developments, unless instigated by him­ self. TRINIDAD-ETHNIC HARMONY Of all the areas that 1 have looked at, where BRIGHT TEMPLE SPEAKER. The Rev. Willie Taplin Barrow, the assistant pastor of Vernon there is an East Indian presence, the island Park Church of God in Chicago, Illinois, was guest speaker at Bright Temple A.M.E. Church's Republic of Trinidad is the place where there Women's Day two weeks ago and, while in Bermuda, took time out to visit BlU Headquarters. has been much less conflict between the East She is shown above (centre) with Sheila Carey (operator of Chance It Cottage, where Rev. Bar­ Indians and the blacks. Although this does row stayed in Bermuda) and Shirlene White, co-chair of the church committee. Rev. Barrow is not mean that there was no friction between also the secretary of Operation PUSH, the Chicago-based organisation headed by Rev. Jesse the two groups. Jackson. The position of the East Indian was, in some respects, similar to the position of the East Indians in Guyana, The difference was WHWMiiNMi that the East Indians never formed a majority -======(Continued from page 5)======illegal nations, whose existence relies absol­ of the population in Trinidad; being only one The plan is to make South Africa seem in­ utely on superior forces and total suppres­ third of the overall population, the majority dispensable in the total overall development sion of the indigenous people. of whom are black. of Africa, and therefore a tolerable state. We must be clear about the dominant issue The most important factor in the lack of So the Reagan administration's move to at stake. The perpetual silkscreen that the any severe conflict between the two ethnic create "negro buffer zones", in South Africa Botha's, Thatchers and Reagans and the like groups in Trinidad was the lack of any real is in keeping with what customarily exists in would like to use, to confuse the issue is that economic competition between them. And the United States and, for that matter, any­ the Blacks are being influenced by the Com­ the fact of a united political front, which be­ where you have the white folks controlling munists gan to emerge, with the trade union move­ and the black folks accepting it. This allegation is levelled at countries ment. where blacks reside and, when blacks start However, South Africa will be a little more In fact, the father of trade unions in that to organise, it is claimed that they are doing complex. For the Asians will form their own country (Arien Cola Rienzi — nee Krishna this at the instigation of outside forces. "power zone", the Coloureds their own and Deonarine) was himself an East Indian. He the indigenous Blacks their own. The Soviet-dominated African governments was the founder of the Oil Workers' Union are not a real threat to the United States and Here Is how it is hoped the plan will work (OWTU) and head of the Sugar Workers' un­ British imperialism. Just as the Western-dom for tlu' South African whites. Each group ion (All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factory inated African governments pose no real will be played against the other for the Workers' Trade Union), threat to Soviet imperialism. crumbs. Token economic and social areas will There could have been no better situation be opened to these three groups. And, gener- The major threat to both the Soviets and for the creation of ethnic unity, and then iillv, the "whitest-minded" of these three the United States, as well as the whites in national unity. For the oil workers were made groups will end up in positions of pseudo-in­ South Africa, are the Liberated Revolution­ up mostly of black Trinidadians, while those fluence and thus be used to negotiate "inte­ ary Governments, that, first and foremost, who worked on the sugar estates were most­ gration policies", between the enemy nnd support, without question, the liberation ly East Indians. their own people. Just like in Canada, the struggles taking place all over Africa, There can be no doubt that Trinidad's bet United States, Britain. Bermuda and tho Car These men and women have run out of ter economic position had much to Ho with ibbean. talk and they see the current "dialogue" with the generally better relations betwe^ le two Botha as an exercise in lip masturbation. But true integration will not exist, ^nd can ethnic groups. not exist, because the bottom line is that true We must support our brothers and sisters Also, the social and cultural n. .is some­ intoivation m South Africa wi" be anti-white in any way possible. thing to do with it. Most East Indians will supremacy and white people are not about to "jump-up" in their carnival bands and support give up their contioi of the vvor'i!, without a their local steel band. battle. DRUG ABUSE, UNSAFE WORKING Then there is the influence of the mass Remember, it is not an accident of nature CONDITIONS AND A POLLUTED media and a common educational experience that the only nuclear armed forces m that ENVIRONMENT ALL HAVE ONE THING in Trinidad, as well as the wish of most Trini area are those of South Africa and Israel. Two IN COMMON: THEY CAN KILL YOU! ==*====="(Contmued on page 7)=-=====-= The Workers Voice. Friday, Oct. 10, 1986 7 LABOUR MOVEMENT'S MESSAGE Alvin Williams ======(Continued from page 6)======dadians to appear modern and up-to-date. DID NOT GET ACROSS TO THE But what is the future position of the East Indian communities generallv?

EAST INDIAN INVOLVEMENT Many East Indians have found new areas WHITE BERMUDIANS! to which they have emigrated. Both in the Yes, weVe come a long way. But, the more it changes, the more it remains the same United States and Canada they have formed thing. This is not to say that there has been no progress. But, all too often what was given with large and growing communities. one hand was taken away with the other. Nor do I say that the Movement has accomplished The East Indian communities in the Carib­ nothing or that it has accomplished litde. The accomplishments,of the 1950s, the 1960s bean have more or less stayed where they are, and the 1970s - the real accomplishments to this date -have ALL been the accomplishments because, on the one hand, there has been no of the Labour Movement. And we need not be foded by anyone or his sophistry. Because of real challenge to their right to citizenship in the fundamental aphorism that "power concedes nothing without a struggle", these were not their respective countries. the accomplishments of the United Bermuda Party or the oligarchy whose economic interests And, on the other hand, the existence of it represents. democratic traditions in the Caribbean would The recognition of the right to belong to trade unions was not automatic; it was fought make it difficult for any Caribbean country for by Gordon, it was fought for by Joe Mills. As recently as 1981, the right to a just wage for to justify to the world any attempt to deprive workers was being fought for directly by the membership of the trade union arm of the the East Indians of their citizenship. Movement, namely the leadership of the BIU, the ABUT, the BPSA, the employees of BELCO But it is on Africa that we must focus, to and other unions. see what may be the future position of East The appointment of a Bermudian Chief Justice, a Secretary to the Cabinet, a Director of Indian communities, outside India. Tourism and a Permanent Secretary in major departments of Government chosen from what In East Africa, the East Indian community once were strictly working class families, these were not by themselves the accomplishments of has been shrinking, as the younger East Ind­ any of the holders of these offices; they were the accomplishments of the Labour Movement ians have left, if they could. itself and the hdders of all these offices would do well to remember just who and what put I doubt though, if they are viewed these them where they are today. I could go so far (and I do) as to say that our present Premier, and days as much of a threat to the position of much of his Cabinet and Parliamentary Group find themselves in the high offices they now the African majorities in the newly-indepen­ enjoy as the direct result of the pressures placed by the Bermuda Labour Movement upon the dent countries. oligarchy whose economic and social interests they have been chosen to foster. As the African has become more secure in THE MYTH OF OUR INFERIORITY *««*#*«««****««**«*«*«*««««*«****««« his new country, he has seen the East Indian This is where we are today; and we have Editor's note: This is the final instalment as less of a threat to the African right to fully looked at where we have come from. The of Mr. Julian Hall's speech to the Progressive take over the country — both politically and, reason why the more it changed, the more it Labour Party on Father's Day. most importantly economically. has remained the same may relate to the fact Even in Uganda, the newly-established gov­ that the concept of actually taking over and ernment has stated that East Indians who lost running Bermuda has been unheard of for land, during the rule of Idi Amin, may now so many within the Movement. We have return and claim it. But I doubt if there will begun to believe in the myth of our infer­ be many takers of this offer! Uganda is still iority. It may relate to the fact that we have, a very unstable country, in wake of the rec­ in many ways, been the victims of our own ent fighting there. successes. It may be that we have passed the The big question mark hangs over the East simple goal of becoming accepted; and Indian community of South Africa, where that now we face a higher and a greater it numbers some 750,000. challenge requiring a higher and more sophis­ What will happen to this community, once ticated approach. the black majority takes over in that country? It may be because while the Movement Will we see, once again, a mass exodus of East concerned itself with bettering the lot of the Indians, as we saw in the aftermath of the masses, others were more interested in taking change in power in other African countries? advantage for their own personal benefit. Where would such a large number of peo­ While some of the early leaders of the ple go? Movement were struggling to eliminate racial I would think that the future destiny of discrimination in the cinemas and the hotels South Africa's large East Indian population and other public establishments, others were must lie in South Africa. preparing lists for the oligarchy of names pointing out who amongst them would be "the But I believe that their position in a free acceptable elite " of names for inclusion by the oligarchy in those establishments. We may well South Africa will depend largely on the stance have remained substantially the same because we have failed to get across to the white Ber­ they are taking now, in the bitter and bloody mudian the message that the message of the Movement is one of love for ALL our fellow men. liberation struggle going on in that country. I hope that the South African East Indians SIR PETER RAMSBOTHAM join the right side in that struggle and, if they We would do well to remember the warning given to us by former Governor, Sir Peter do, that it will be remembered by the African Ramsbotham, upon his retirement. How many of us remember that he warned all of Bermuda majority. that it profiteth us nothing if we should gain the whole world, but lose our soul. It is of the Thus, at long last, the African East Indian soul of an entire Movement that 1 have been speaking today. Tough times never last, a tough community can find its rightful place in the people do. Tough times never last, a tough Party does. Tough times never last, a tough Move­ African sun. ment will. And we have come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting His word. He has never failed us yet. The torch IS a torch, it is NOT an ember. We must take it and carry it forward before it burns out, and leaves us, our children and our children fechildre n in perpetual dark­ Happy Birthday ness. I thank you, Congratulations and best wishes to: ||;||||||||||t|t|tt|||||tt||ntt|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||t|||||||||t|t Sister Helena "Molly" Burgess U Secre­ tary General, who celebrates her birthday today, October 10,

End all ties to Apartheid! Discover your credit union. We're doing more for you. Illli;illlllllllllli;;illli;|t|||||||||||||||||||||||imi||||||||||mi|| n DATE DUE PAPER INDEPENDENCE ======(Continued from page 2)======* That processes of government be devel­ d) the existence of experienced political oped, which ensure that a broad section of and business managers, at the very top, who shall be citizens in an indeptendent Bermuda. Bermuda's varied interest groups have input are Bermudian bom. * That a national training plan be initiated, into governmental decision-making. The impelling factors point to a post-inde­ to transform Bermudians into managers of, pendent situation, during which a government rather than servants of, our economic system. * That ail Bermudians be educated, with busily engaged undertaking its widened res­ * That the cooperative concept needs to be respect to Bermuda's responsibility in foreign ponsibilities, will not be burdened with the developed, so that the Bermudian worker will affairs, and thereby, begin to evolve a foreign thorny problems of economic development. be able to participate much more effectively policy, which is understood by all Bermudians and has the active support of an overwhelm­ IMMENSE OPPORTUNITIES in economic decision-making, and to take a ing majority. Threats, are situations which could mater­ greater responsibility for his economic well- ialize, with the advent of independence. They being. * That Government present long-term dev­ are situations which are latent, but which elopment plans, which are sufficiently expli­ might be stimulated by the uncertainties of cit that all citizens can participate in effect­ indpendence. ively shaping their future. * That all political parties state their pos­ Some perceived threats are: ition on the existence and continuance of a) increased racial tension, should the maj­ our vital export industries and of fiscal and ority black population perceive their inferior monetary poUcies, which affect those indus­ position as having worsened; tries. b) increased tension between foreign work­ * That there be full information disclos­ ers and Bermudians, as a resvdt of heightened ures to Bermudians of all surveys and investi­ expectations of Bermudians, to replace for­ gations that are vital to the understanding df eign workers; the requirements for economic survival. c) increased tension between bom Bermu­ I believe that, if all Bermudians began to dians and those with Bermuda status; discuss seriously, the issue outiined, we will d) capital flight, as a result of uncertainty develop the only true safeguard of a function­ surrounding independence. ing democracy, under independence; an infor­ The threats described are always present med electorate and a Government which cher­ in a bi-racial society. They are heightened ui ishes the democratic ideals of Liberty, Euality Bermuda, because the m^ority race has less of opportunity. Rule of Law and Constitut­ that proportionate control over government ional Government. and virtually no control over our economy. The approach to independence also carries immense opportunities. Added power pro­ OVERSEAS EDUCATION. Sister Heather vides increased capacity to solve existing Smith, who has worked In the Finance De­ problems and to explore new opportunities. ^^A worker's best key partment of the BIU for the past year, was Some opportunities are as follows: given a surprise "bon voyage" party by the to financial security a) development of latent black managerial staff at BIU Headquarters last week before resources; she left to go overseas to further her educa­ is membership in a b) forging of harmonious relations be­ tion. She is the daughter of Brother George tween Bermudians and foreigneis; Smith, president of the General Division, CREDIT UNION'' c) equity in constitutional laws and d) support to worker cooperatives. + + -l- + + + -f-f-|--f #0000000 ooooooooooooooooooo* HEK B055. WHAT'S IT c The opportunities listed could be imder- c taken, without serious disruption to the ex­ CALLfP WHEN THE MATORlTY PEMOCRACY c isting social oi^anisation. But, if successfully RULES?. OF COUf^SE. c executed, Bermuda's already high standard of / c living, could easily become the highest in the c world, c o POLICY OBJECTIVES o IdeaUsm apart, the achievement of indepen­ o dence must have the practical goal of main­ o taining and/or improving, the standard of liv­ o ing of all Bermudians. o Such an objective is natural and has existed o for all men, since the beginning of time. I con­ o cur, therefore, with the opening remarks in ^. •c;--^^ WHAT'S IT CALLED WHEN FREE o the White Paper on Independence, that: THE MINORIT/ RULE5? £NTeRFK\SL o "A move to independence, without the o o most careful and complete preparation, could •/ o well imperil the standard of Uving, earned WEAR o and enjoyed by Bermudians, and undermine ;o tlie confidence of those upon whom our ec­ o onomic prosperity depends." + o Desirable policy objectives in preparation + YOUR o for independence, must include, not only + o

measures which impact directly on Beimuda's •1- o economic organisation, but, just as important­ + o ly, there must be measures, designed to im­ + 00000000000000000000005000* pact upon Beniiuda's political organisation. + HARD + Accordingly, the following policy objec­ + 7 ) tives might be adopted, with a new to pre­ + Bda. Co 1 Iege Li brary paring Bemiuda for full independence: + P.O. Box 35i) * Tliat the Constitution be amended, to + Devonsin ire 4 ensure that all Bemiudians have the same op­ + HAT! portunity to elect the party of their choice. + * That Bennudians begin to debate who + -I--1--I-H--I--I- + -I-