Comrades hail Abdulah as next PM

Two days after he withdrew from the People’s Partnership coalition, leader of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) David Abdulah was exalted as T&T’s next Prime Minister by his comrades yesterday. Though he did not address the large crowd, which flocked to Butler Hall for the annual Labour Day march, Abdulah sat in the front row of the stage where speaker after speaker whipped up support for the MSJ.

The only exception was T&T Unified Teachers Association president, Roustan Job, who said TTUTA had taken a non- political approach in governing its affairs. The march was attended by more than 18 trade unions as well as several new pressure groups, including the Highway Re-route Movement and the National Students Union.

Vice-president of Amalgamated Workers Union, Michael Prentice, said Abdulah was a fearless leader, who had the country’s interest at heart. “Hats off to Abdulah for taking a stand in the interest of workers and the people of T&T,” Prentice said as the crowds cheered. He criticised those who said the labour movement had no place in the political arena.

“To hell with people who say comrades in labour have no right to enter politics,” he said. “If Kamla Persad-Bissessar can be Prime Minister, then Abdulah, you can be the Prime Minister too,” Prentice declared as he hugged Abdulah. He added all workers must stand up and speak out against the “arrogance and disrespect that Government has been showing to workers.”

“I am disappointed because we had no right to be fooled twice,” Prentice said. “You must face the reality...Get the act together among all labour leaders and stand together with the MSJ.” President general of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Joseph Remy, also told workers they must vote along class lines.

He said the MSJ, under Abdulah’s guidance, was the only political vehicle to take T&T forward. President general of the Bankers and Insurance General Workers Trade Union (BIGWU), Vincent Cabrera, also declared support for Abdulah, saying the MSJ was the only political vehicle which could take workers into the corridors of power.