Several years ago I bought a book written by George F.L. Charles entitled – The History of the Labour Movement in St. Lucia 1945-1974. I have probably read this book over twenty times since the purchase, as it gives so much insight into life in St Lucia in that period but more so it provides a profound explanation of the socio-political machinations of our country. I can say that Sir George F.L. Charles was no ‘small axe’, he was a giant, whose efforts in pushing for better working conditions and the end to political isolation of the masses must be forever hailed as gallant.
It is unimaginable that a mere seventy years ago, men were working for one shilling per day and women earned 10 ½ pence. The work period was a twelve hour day including Sundays. There were no rights to overtime and children as young as 8 yrs were forced into the fields just to help their parents complete a day’s task early. Domestic servants worked from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm, a total of 14 hours including Sunday and Public Holidays. Exploited women worked in the coaling industry, trudging up tall ladders, with baskets on their heads, their skins blackened by the coal dust. This was 1938, some 100 yrs after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.!!
In this atmosphere, Mr. Charles Augustin , a product of exploitation rose up and was able to gather a few influential individuals to form a Trade Union in St. Lucia in 1939. Some of the founders were R.G.H. Clarke a pharmacist, John H. Pilgrim a journalist, George Cooper, Randolph Roberts, Job James, J.B.D. Osbourne, Lewis Charles, Henry Pollard, Henry Belizaire and R.L. Scott. In 1944 the Seamen and Waterfront Workers Union was established and in 1951 the St Lucia Civil Service Association was formed.
The most interesting aspect of that period was that your journey into politics had to start with involvement in the Labour Unions. The Labour movement was then the embryo for the politician. Our politics has changed dramatically now and one’s involvement in the labour movement is of little consequence to one’s political future. While I will leave the sociological research to the experts, I would postulate that the embrace of North American lifestyles has affected our political thought. No political party can win an election in the Caribbean if they are not well funded. The most vivid example in recent time has been the win by Jack Warner in a bye election in Chaguanas -the heartland of the UNC party. I believe there is nothing like safe seats in Caribbean politics and anyone with a few millions can win any seat in any country of the Caribbean.
The book written by Sir George, has some very interesting ‘factoids’, which I have shared below:
- The Market Steps was the forum used by the Organizing Committee of the St Lucia Workers Co-operative Union to inform members and later became the home of the St Lucia Labour Party
- The membership of the Union in 1946 stood at 5,000 persons
- The St Lucia Labour Party was born in October 1950 as the political arm of the Trade Union Movement. The founding members were Sir Allen Lewis, Martin Jn Baptiste, Herman B. Collymore, Karl La Cobiniere, Clive Compton, J.M.D. Bousquet, James L. Charles, J. Burke King, Charles Augustin, George Charles, Vernon A. Cooper, Francis J. Carasco and Louis G. A. McVane.
- The first party symbol of the St Lucia Labour Party was the teacup, with the then rally slogan “ Nou kai mete ti kwa bo tas-la”
- John Compton joined the St Lucia Labour Party in 1951/52 and was rejected as a candidate for the Dennery –Micoud seat in the 1954 elections, he left the party and ran as an Independent and won the seat.
- John Compton was convicted and fined for activities during the sugar strikes in the Dennery Valley
- John Compton returned to the St Lucia Labour Party after the strikes and was appointed Deputy Political Leader for the 1957 elections. The Labour Party changed their symbol from the Teacup to the Star for that election
- John Compton contested and won under Labour in 1961 and left the party again after the election never to return.
The political legacy of Sir George is found in the efforts to ensure that the lands that were in foreign hands were rightfully returned to St. Lucia. The first was the return of the bases. The British Government had agreed to a 99 year lease of lands with the American Government in exchange for 50 Destroyers. The discussions with the American Government for the return of the Bases were headed by Chief Minister George Charles and the conclusion was as follows:
- The Hospital Building ( now St. Jude’s) will be handed over to St Lucia
- The Beanfield Electrical Lighting Plant will be handed over
- Two new engines for the Plant will be supplied by the American Government
- The Water Treatment Plant will be handed over
- The American Government would finance the construction f the Vieux Fort Comprehensive School and fully equip it
- The American Government will look into the feasibility of financing further development in Vieux Fort
- The American Government will look at the feasibility of funding a modern abattoir to encourage animal husbandry.
The second return of land was at the Morne. Up to 1962 the Morne was separately administered by the War Office in the UK as if it were their personal property. The UK Gov’t position was that the Morne lands should be sold to any willing purchaser foreign or otherwise including the Government of St Lucia at the most attractive price. Chief Minister George Charles led a delegation to the UK to protest this position and to make the point that on moral grounds the Government should be the sole purchaser.
These two areas ( The Morne and Vieux Fort ) which are of great significance to the people of St Lucia returned due to the efforts of a giant named George Frederick Lawrence Charles. It is of interest to note that almost 50 years later we are reconstructing St. Jude’s and an abattoir is still under construction.
A little David who was never afraid to stare down Goliath . Ti Hache? Not at all !!!