There is a recent history of big strikes in Trinidad and Tobago: last Summer 800 members of the Transport and Industrial Workers Union won a 56 day struzgle against the Princes Town Bus Company, during which the Union called on the Government to take over the bus franchise and operate the service as a public utility. It reminded the workers of the 4 month strike of telephone workers which made the Government take over the Telephone Company, which is now the Trinidad and Tobago Telephone Service. During this strike Eugene Joseph, General Secretary of the T.U.C., said: "The workers may have to adopt a policy of massive confrontation and take over industries that were not willing to cooperate and work for the benefit of the nation. George Weekes, president of the T.U.C., called for revolutuonary action on the part of the working class. If the employers use their weapon as they have done, "the only way to get your just due is with a struggle."
This struggle is being carried forvard: in Trinidad 600 carment workers are on strike demanding a basic weekly wage of g18.00(¥v.1.) in place of the $16.50 that the employers have offered. In Jansica Bauxite workers (members of the National Workers Union) went on strike because of the dismissal of their members without proper csuse. In British Guinna another suger strike loomed after negotiations between the M.P.C.A. and the Sugar Producers Assoc. About 700 canefarmers journeyed 50 miles to demand $600,000 outstanding to them as compensation for losses sustained during recent floods in S. Trinidad.
Meanwhile the 2 year old Trinidad Sugar Manufacturers Federation (Originally comprising 8 companies and now reduced to 2) folded up on 22nd October. Tate & Lyle monopclise the industry through its subsidiary Caroni Ltd.