Where is labour day celebrated in trinidad and tobago

Celebrated on June 19th, it is the anniversary of the day of the Butler Oilfield Riots which took place in Prior to this time there were ongoing tensions between workers and employers in many sectors of society. These were characterized by situations of worker abuse, underpayment for labour, racism, economic depression and a considerable fall in the living standards of the working class. Between and workers became more influenced by a need for change resulting in strikes and riots on the sugar plantations and in the oil fields and in September , the Oilfield Workers Trade Union OWTU also became the first registered trade union in the country representing the rights of those in the petroleum industry.

R James. During a labour dispute on the Port-of-Spain wharves in November , Captain Andrew Arthur Cipriani called on the workers to withhold their labour, and this resulted in their first important industrial strike in Trinidad. George Weekes, another well known Trade Unionist, possessed a powerful political leadership style which moved people toward a confidence to stand for what was just and right.

He gave them a vision that planted seeds of liberation to move beyond salaries and working conditions — along the road of self, world view, economics and government. Albert Maria Gomes became a City Councilor and Legislator who fought for social and political justice for the people of Trinidad.

James and which led to the recognition of excellent literary works in later years from writers such as Earl Lovelace, Merle Hodge and many others from Trinidad and Tobago. Adrian Cola Rienzi served as the mayor of San Fernando in November and administered the borough for three consecutive terms, until November He was a member of the franchise committee which was appointed in , and strongly advocated universal adult suffrage.

Vincent born Elma Francois became a founding member of the National Unemployed Movement and its more radical successor, the Negro Welfare, Cultural and Social Association, to which she devoted the rest of her life. Regarded as one of the most celebrated thinkers of Trinidad and Tobago, and the whole Commonwealth Caribbean, C.

R James was against colonialism and against racial prejudice in all its forms and he began to formulate his thoughts on the just and classless society. Today, a statue of Butler stands at the Fyzabad junction also known as the Charlie King Junction, the place where police attempted to arrest him on June 19th, the day of the historic riots Strike of oil and asphalt leads to the arrest and imprisonment of five leaders under wartime defence regulations.

He held the seat until his death in The attempt to arrest Butler on charges of inciting breeches of the peace sparks widespread riots and unrest. Nine civilians were killed and fifty were wounded. By the end of there were ten trade unions in Trinidad, more than in any other West Indian colony. It recommended more British Government effort into promoting"development and welfare" and moderate constitutional change.

Instituted in the year that the Butler Oilfield Riots took place, , the OWTU represented the rights of those in the petroleum industry. Within this period he was held responsible for many riots, some of which ended with fatalities.

He was being accused of inciting civil unrest and sedition. He would be imprisoned for a combined period of ten years but still managed to retain the support and favour of many. In he form his own party for the general elections, called the Butler Party, which would have much success in the political circle.