After the resting

THE EDITOR: Even though my immediate fears of the success of the call for a national day of rest and reflection were allayed somewhat, I am mindful of some developments before and after the call. It seems we have not progressed very far from the days of “ah fraid Karl” and the infamous IRA that had people afraid all the time.

We now have the unprecedented situation of a prime minister and other ministers making threats of jail and fines. The PM and Marlene McDonald should know that Trinidadians do not respond well to threats, especially when good sense is enough.

I am sure that some of the threatened citizens were sympathisers of McDonald when she was in the doghouse. I wonder how they feel now.

The outcome of this call for a day of rest and reflection may be a blessing. In fact, I am sure it is. Had the result gone the other way, certain union leaders and many workers may have been hauled before the courts, putting us back in the dark days of industrial relations.

Like a former president, the labour movement thought it had powers it did not have and the bitter pill is that the only power it has, is to react after decisions have been made and not be consulted beforehand. This must be a sobering reality check as it now licks its wounds.

It is time the Government and successive ones get in tune with the new industrial relations of “social democracy” and give back the labour movement its due respect and role.

JOEL QUINTAL via e-mail