It is however, part of our purpose not only to show that is, but to delve back into the past to see if we can discern the part of Jamaica workmen to combine and organise the defence of their ‘working conditions, 1 Act of Emancipation did not give unqualified e all slave children under six years of age were to be freed immediately, all those above this age were expected to serve a six -year term of apprenticeship to accustom them to wage labour. The British Government envisaged this period as one of transition during which labourers would be prepared for full freedom by a series of social reforms and by the enjoyment and exercise of fuller rights. The planters, however, viewed the system as a part of the compensation paid to them in consequence of frecing their slaves as it were "a short and partial reprieve granted that they might squeeze a last juice out of compulsory labour before the great ruin of freedom set in". (') Slavery may have disappeared as a social institution but "it came back as a system of industry , the Negroes... having to work as slaves for so many hours a week" (*) Planters (and slaves too) were therefore slow to grasp the fundamental change that had occurred. bose nc. oa as asbceomne BOYS ETE AS HIE EEETPerechaticlbadnowihecomenellersofiabbur. The Apprenticeship system never came off the ground, undermined as it was by flexibility on the part of the planter plus an intense desire on the part of the slave to dissociate himself from the estate employment which reminded him of the past. For those who were prepared to work on the estates, economic conditions actually worsened. "As a counter-poise to the power of the labourers over wages, the proprietors have that of charging rent for houses and grounds tenanted by labourers , and this right often exercised with a view to counter-balance as much as possible, the payment of wages, "The purpose of this article is to, describe what gay well be the earliest at!=mpts at Trade Union Organisation in Jamaica. This survey examines in particular, and is the result of original research carried out by the writer during fic Oieat eh eae a cae le pe2 and not with reference purely to the value of the house and grounds. ‘Thus in many instances the rent of a house is charged not at a rate fixed for the house, but a rate fixed for each occupant of the house. Those counter-claims for rent and wages keep up much irritation and litigation, but wil, itis to be hoped, in time be settled on the basis of mutual interest..." (). Time did not appear however to be healing the breach between social classes of the new society, and it did look as though the great ruin of freedom was setting in. Abdlitionists and pro-Emancipationists who thought that all that was meeded to restore the Negro to his rightful status was his freedom viewed with charge in the deterioration of living and social conditions. The Theory of Natural Indolence of the Negro gained credence, and fairly common were such statements that the Negroes "desired, not to better their condition, but merely to live as before with a smaller expenditure of effort". Sir Robert Peel stated in the Houscof Commons in1941 that "if ever the black population of the ‘West Indies should become squatters on waste lands or mere cultivators of provision grounds instead of labourers for hire, then slavery and the slave trade would have received the last anid ‘greatest encouragement which it was in the power of man to bestow." (*), Bold and constructive measures were needed to halt the decline of Jamaica's sugar economy, especially after the British payliament enacted in 1846 the Sugar Bill which provided for the abolition between 1948 and 1952 of the duty preference which West Indies sugar enjoyed on the market over cheaper slave grown sugar in Cuba and theAmericas. Instead the vested interests dissipated their energies in recriminations and obstruction. It is not therefore surprising to find that faced with starvation and deprivations the labouring class began voicing their discontent. Richard Hart records in "Origin and Development of the People of Jamaica” (*), that at the end of 1863 ~ and the beginning of 1864 strikes" broke out on many sugar estates. "The Falmouth Post" mouthpiece of the planters in its issue of January 19, 1864 reports "there has been among the peasantry, a strike for wages in several districts of the county of Cornwall’. The same newspaper in its issue of February 12, 1864 states "we regret to learn that during the last week, there was among the labourers in the Parish of Hanover another strike for advanced wages “Quotation from a despatch sent by Sir Charles Metcalfe, Governor of Jamaica, to the Secretary of State in 1839. Cited by Parry & Sherlock. Op.cit., p.193 + T.S. Simey, Welfare & Planning in the West Indies, The Clarendon Press, Oxford 1946. ps9. ‘Richard Hart, the Origin and Development of the People of Jamaica published by the Author, Kingston, Jamaica, reprinted 1952, p.14over land and maladministration of Justice, a crowd led by a Baptist preacher named ;ched to Morant Bay on October 11. Rioting broke out, property was destroyed and and coloured persons were killed as well as seven (7) Negro rioters. In the reprisal Morant|Bay, court martialled and hanged, although the case against him was not clearly proven. The upfising was not a rebellion - it was neither nationalist nor racial in origin , but merely the expression of a deepseated cry against poverty and injustice, combined with a lack of confidence in the ckntral government. There was in fact, no cohesion among groups in the society to produce leadership on a national scale. No labour organisation emerged as the wage earning group was itself top small for any organisation to develop, and the first bloody riot in Jamaican history therefofe proved to be barren as far as workers organisations were concered Richard Hart, Op.it., pl44 ‘A Royal Commission was appointed to enquire into the outbreak and the theme that emerged is a recurrent one right up to World War II period. Lucas’ Historical Geography of the West Indies (7) stated: "The evidence taken by the Royal Commission tended to show... that the movement ‘was in great measure a no rent movement aggravated by the want of a cool labor law and inunalssited forthe ean stement of bor questions diaras MAY doa xisetttch moder difficulties arising out of the-xelationsof chedandlordand ¢enantand-ofemployecand’ worktiirraverennixed Up With the Old Conflictaofacacentid COlSUT. ARLY CRA\ 1s98 Construction trade: The earliest trade union of which this writer has found trace in the Carpenters, Bricklayers, and Painters Union - commonly referred to as the Artisan’s Union which held its first General Meeting on the 8th August, 1898. . ~ ‘The Union headquarters was located at 37 East Street, in Kingston, the capital. Its first slate of officers were E,L. McKenzie, President, G.T, Atkinson Treasurer, and S.A. Phillips, Secretary (*) Attendance at the weekly Monday night meetings varied between 70 and 90 members. The Union ‘concerned itself with drawing up a schedule of union rates for their trades which was submitted to the Governor with the request that they be declared the prevailing rates throughout the island (°) ‘The Union also opened its own workshop on the premises with a foreman in charge. Most of the important work of the organisation was done through small work committees, and officers of the Union were bonded for faithful perforomance of their duties. A library was maintained complete with elementary drawings and the President early advised that communication be made with 7Quoted in Labor Conditions in the West Indies, report by Major G. St. J. Orde Browne, ‘Cmd 6070 London, HMSO, 1939 p.77 "Daily Gleaner, Kingston, Jamaica, issues of August8, 1898 and August 10, 1898 °Daily Gleaner, Kingston, Jamaica, issues of 17th August, 1898a certain trade unions abroad and the Technological Institute in London (""). ‘The Artisan's Union made vigorous representations to the Director of Public Works against the evils of subletting contracts but its pet project was to secure the establishment of a technical School in Kingston which would issue certificates of competence. As one member reported to a weekly meeting "....they must now take measure to push the government to organise a Technical school in Kingston even if on a very small scale. The necessity for such a school is made clear from the absence of a current schedule of rates of labour in the island, the unskilled manipulation of tools, of certain class of tradesmen, the absence of a proper certificate of competency from a reliable source for first class men and further a reckless and unprincipled system of supply and demand". These and other circumstances he hoped the union would adjust. ("). Here we see the method of "mutual insurance" in operation. Three hundred placards were posted in principal towns, Kingston, St. Ann, Spanish Town, Port Royal, Port Antonio, Montego Bay inviting the co-operation of mechanics generally with the Union. ‘This circular addressed to local artisans is interesting for what it says about the Union. "....... Addressed to carpenters, bricklayers, painters, blacksmiths, plumbers, fitters, machinists, joinets and stone masons, in consideration of the fact that no system has ever been adopted for the social, intellectual and financial advancement ‘of mechanics, comprising the different trades, to enhance the dignity of labour that the standard or minimum of daily living on starvation wages be obliterated and to adopt a scale for honest labour. "This Union provides in their organisation weekly meetings, sick and death benefits, compassionate allowances, loans on 90-days acceptances to members, weekly lectures on handicrafs, work demonstrations on black-boards, free library books on mechanics, elementary drawings, regulation of wages by a schedule of rates, etc. "They therefore for your own interest and the generation following invite your influence, knowledge and co-operation in fulfilling the mission of the C.B. and P.U. (short title of the Union). Communicate at once to the Secretary at their office, 37 East Stret, Kingston or to any member of the Unino from whom information and applicaion foms can be obtained, "Remember - Unity is strength- and united we stand - divided we fall”. ( ") "Idib. dated 7th September, 1898 "bid ” Daily Gleaner, dated 19th October, 1898‘Appended to the placard was an extract from a letter received from the Mayor of Kingston which read :"One cannot fail to be struck with the utter absence from Jamaica of any of thse associations from the protection of crafts which abound in Europe and the Unitied States. The Organisations in which you are engaged must therefore be regarded as one of the evidences of the advancement among our people. I, for one, hail your movement as a hopeful sign of the times. You seek not only the protection of your trades, but also the promotiuon of benevolence, one towards another ‘which will go far to consolidate you into a brotherhood. ‘There is strength in unity, yours is a ‘combination of good and noble purposes. I therefore say - hold fast in unity and may God profit your cause. Signed A.A. Robinson". A revealing picture of economic stresses is given in an address by the President to a specially convened meeting in April 1900, to consider unemployment among th artisans. "The financial position of the working man with the hoe" was in a deplorable condition". Distress demoralised many of labour for the people and rendered their existence worse than contemptible. The question of labour for the people having no direct consideration by the government to promote I7 and encourage local industries, the present mode of taxing houses, the absence of public works were factors which constituted idleness and brought discontent to the people, There had never been any direct legislation on labour for the welfare of the working classes, by which a steady application to legitimate work could be obtained, no encouragements to make labour dignifieid, but rather an impecunious condition of affairs which created loss of manhood and a deplorable struggle for existence." Gs i Another member reported "that among 400 laboureres who migrated to Port Limon (Costa Rica) there were no less than two-thirds who followed the various crafts". ('*) A deputation waited on the Governor to seek some amelioration but there is no report as to what action, if any, resulted from the meeting. However, in June, 1900, the union placed this Advertisement in the Press: ARTISIANS' UNION Registered under Law (presumably Friendly Societies Law) begs and solicits the patronage of the B “Daily Gleaner, 4th April, 1900 * Ibid.Building public. \ They are prepared to accept contracts for Buildings with Drawings and specifications supplied. They have the best workmen nad give the best work and materials. Lodge your ordrs in their letter box at Hanover Street or at 32 East Street to E..L, McKenzie, President, Patronise Union Men. ('*) ‘The Union apparently di conditions as well as dissensi C*) This move to broaden its scope and change the ts dissolution as a craft organisation. Printing Trade: There were apparently, other craft organisations active in the early 20th Century. From available records it appears that the printers struck for higher wages sometime during 1907 print of the Daily Gleaner dated 4th , 1908, the acting Editor of the Presbyterian apparently a religious publication, wrote from Lucea (Eastern tip of the island) to say that owing to the Printers strike in Kingston his December issue of the publication had been delayed. There is also reference in the press of a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders being formed. Tobacco Trade: Organisation also existed among workers in the tobacco trade. On the 30th June, 1908, 65 tobacco craftsmen employed to the Jamaica Tobacco Company went on strike. The "Daily Gleaner, 2nd June, 1900 "Ibid. 26th September, 1900 & 4th October, 1900 "Ibid. 31st. October, 1900 and 19th January, 1901 ® See E.D. Cronon, Black Moses, The University of Wisconsin Press Madison p.13 ibid9 grievance was that management had abolished the ancient privilege of each man having five cigars each afternoon, Management offered instead one penny per 100 more on the existing rate of pay for cigar manufacturers. The strikers under the signature of A. Bain Alves (who reappears as a union organiser in 1918) put their case to the public in a letter to the Editor (*). In the period 1918-1920 the cigar makers union was still ative and in fact again called out its members on strike against the same company : ‘sto the reason why the craft unions seem to have faded out in this period may found in a reported speech of W.G. Hinchclife, President of the Jamaica Trades and Labour Union No. 16203 of the American Federation of Labour. This Union which will be referred to as local 16203, comes into the news during 1919 and had a very dried but active career. Hinchcliffe in his speech traded the existence of the Union (#). " Some people," he said, "believed that the Society (Local 16203) had just sprung into existence - however from 1907 the Jamaican Trades and Labour Union No. 12575 working in Jamaica, some of whom (its members) have passed over to the great majority (ie. are deceased). The Society increased in membership and was able to pay sick benefits to many of its members and assisted in the burial of one, when some of the ‘members began to argue that as the rules of the society were not registered (Friendly Societies Law) in the event of going to law they would have nothing to prove their claims. From then on the membership of about 45 began to decrease.” Just about this time he (Hinchcliffe) was asked to become a member of “and assisted in drawing up the rules , which were certified by the present Acting Chief Justice in November , 1909, Shortly after these rules were approved, the few remaining zealous ones through circumstances had to emigrate, some to Haiti, and some to Colon (Panama). Others to Port Limon (Costa Rica) - the Society consequently ceased operations." The inference seem to be that local 16203 had preserved some degree of continuity with local 12575. There are two points of interest to be noted in the speech of this union President, The first is that the men who could have kept local 12575 a going concern were forced by circumstances to emigrate. The second point is the connection of both locals with the ‘American Federation of Labour. There is no indication as to whether this was a formal association nor is it evident what were the trades which the craftsmen practised. The link with the AF. of L. appears to have been fairly close however. In May of 1919 (*) the Secretary of local 16203 wrote to the Secretary of the AF. of expressing inability to attend the 39th Congress in Atlantic city. A letter of sympathy was sent to Samuel Gomperg who had been injured in a motor car * Daily Gleaner, 3rd, 7th and 8th July, 1908. Ibid. 17th April, 1919 Daily Gleaner, 19th May, 191910 accident. In December of the same year (*) the local also sent in donation to the A.F.of L. to be divided between the striking cigarmakers International Union and the Iron and Steel Workers Union in the United States. Enough has been said to indicate why the early craft unions did not survive. Firstly, the number of skilled artisans organised was relatively small as the movement was confined largely to Kingston. Secondly, as far as can be discerned, these embryonic organisations were not presented with any challenge the form of employer hostility or government persecution. Thus there was litle to reinforce cohesion and solidarity. Often disagreements over-rules and audit of accounts led to their disintegration. Thirdly, as we were told the more zealous among their numbers were constantly emigrating and this was probably the deciding factor. Between 1881-1921 the total net emigration from the island amounted to 146,000 persons of whom 46,000 went to the United States, 45,000 to Panama, about 22,000 to Cuba, and 43,000 to other areas (). If emigration was therefore an avenue of hope for those who applied their trades in an environment which provide little scope for such activities, it was also at the same time an avenue of rel which sapped the craft organisations of their most zealous members, and although there were sporadic flurries of activity and work stoppage to seek redress of their grievances ‘when labour unrest began in earnest after the firist World War and on the eve of the second, the initiative had already passed from the skilled worker to the unskilled labourer and the unemployed LABOUR UNREST AND THE TRADE UNION LAW ‘There was widespread labour unrest in Jamaica during the two years immediatly following the * Daily Gleaner, Sth December, 1919 2 GW Roberts, The Population of Jamaica. Cambridige University Cambridge, 1957, p. 140,u cessation of hostilities in 1918, Already depressed living standards were further aggravated by rising wartime prices. By 1920 there were reported increases in prices of 45 per cent; in food, 100 per cent; in clothing, 100%; in furniture, household furnishings and similar furnishings, LABOUR UNREST 1918-1920 In April, June, July and December of 1918 a rash of strikes blossomed forth in Kingston, and spread to outports and other areas in the country. One of these strikes at an inland sugar factory and estate at Vere erupted and as law forces sought to réstore order, 3 persons were killed and a dozen wounded. On the Sth April 1918, fire fighters of the Kingston Fire Brigade went on strike amidst threats by the city's sanitary workers to follow suit (%), Police were promptly drafted in by the local authorities to operate the fire service and on the 10th April, the press reported an appeal by the fire-fighters for reinstatement. The Mayor ordered an official enquiry to place responsibility for the strike. Early in June the new Governor of the island arrived and made his welcome address at the Ward ‘Theatre, Kingston, in the course of which he remarked , "I am no demogogue but I say advisedly that when a man succeeds and becomes rich through reckless disregard of the legitimate reasonable demands of those with whom he has business, whether they be his employees or not - that man is wrong. " (”) A few days later dockworkers in strike section against the leyland Line Wharf and the United Fruit Company won increased rates of pay. Handlers at the Government Railway likewise ‘enforced a demand for increased pay and labouring women also refused to load banana ship for the United Fruit Company (**). The leading daily newspaper appealed to employers to prevent further strikes by improving conditions where possible. On the 22nd June, 1918, Bain Alves, President of the recently formed Longshoremen's Union No. | of the Jamaica Federation of Labour published in the press a resolution forwarded to the © Daily Gleaner, 6th April, 1918 Sir Leslie Probyn. * ibid 24th June, 1918 * Daily Gleaner, 25th June, 1918 ‘Source for data which follows derived from Daily Gleaner of 22nd June, 1918, and 5th July, 1918