National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas

Volume 7 August, 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: NCTUB Mourns the passing of founding president Message of Sympathy National Literacy Services Literacy Month Activities UNESCOs Literacy Month Flier Know Your Rights Useful Links Page 7 Page 8 Page 6 Page 5 Page 3 Page 4 Page 2

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I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Timothy 4:7
Leroy Duke Hanna was the founding president of the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas (NCTUB) and the Past President of the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union, a position which he held for over 29 years. Brother Hannas outstanding service as a trade unionist, senator, community activist and nation builder is legendry and is a good example for todays trade unionist to follow.

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Mrs. Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson President National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas

It is with profound sorrow and regret that the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) learned of the passing of Leroy Duke Hanna, the founding President of the NCTUB, Past President of the Bahamas Musicians & Entertainers Union (BMEU), former Senator, and a champion of the trade union movement in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The trade union movement in The Bahamas and, indeed, the wider Caribbean region, has directly benefitted from the contributions of Leroy Duke Hanna and the Bahamian labour force is in an enhanced position because of the role that Duke played. His contributions to the growth and development of the people of the Bahamas will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of all trade unionists and should be recorded in history of our nation. From the 1950s Duke walked alongside the heroes of the modern trade union movement, including the late Sir Clifford in the 1958 General Strike, the late Sir Randol Fawkes in the fight for Majority Rule and Independence, the late Patrick Bain with regards to the integration of the Caribbean Trade Union Movement and the establishment and operational of the NCTUB Labour College, Leroy Duke Hanna was in the forefront of the social revolution in our country and his legacy will forever remain burning in the hearts of trade unionists for decades. Sister Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, along with her Executive Board, Affiliates and the entire membership of the National Congress of Trade Unions of the Bahamas, extends heartfelt condolences to Dukes wife Joan, his children and grandchildren, and his extended family, on this sad occasion. We also wish to express our sincere sympathy to officers and members of the Bahamas Musicians & Entertainers Union as they grieve his passing. We are mindful of the pain associated with the loss of a loved one and we are comforted with the knowledge that his living was not in vain. It is our hope that the Almighty God keeps each of you strong as you face the difficult days, weeks, months and years ahead. Rest assured that the officers and members of the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas will remember you and your family in prayer. The trade union movement has lost a great champion and our nation has indeed lost another soldier. Duke has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, and he has kept the faith.

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The National Literacy Services is the successor to the Lets Read Bahamas Project, established in 1994. The need for the programme grew out of concern by educators because of low reading levels of far too many Bahamian students who, on becoming adults, were unable to function in society. After successfully completing the objectives of the student-focused Lets Read Bahamas, the emphasis shifted from the school environment to adults who had deficiencies in reading and language skills. Thus, the Adult Literacy Movement was established. Subsequently, the National Literacy Services was launched on International Literacy Day, September 9, 1999. its mandate, was to offer services that will empower adult students and their families to acquire the Literacy skills and practices they would need to function in todays society. Presently, several initiatives are being implemented to promote Adult Literacy, The Adult Literacy Programme caters to students who have left school and did not acquire the basic reading skills and adults in the workplace, who lack fundamental literacy skills. This programme has also been extended to the Family Island. National Literacy Services initiatives complement those of the Department of Education. Its officers view Adult Education as an essential component of the Bahamian Education System.

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The month of September is National Literacy Services annual observation of Adult Literacy Month. Each year the unit joins the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 8, in celebration of Literacy Day. The proposed theme for the month is: Community Awareness of Adult Literacy Supports and Strengthens National Building Through the month long celebrations, National Literacy services seek to raise the publics consciousness of adult literacy, the plight of adult learners and the contributions of volunteer tutors. The schedule of activities are in the table below:

ACTIVITIES COMMEMORATING ADULT LITERACY MONTH SEPTEMBER, 2012 27th August, 2012 30th August, 2012 Appearance on local radio talk shows, where tutors will promote the work of the Unit via radio interviews. Church Service at Shekinah Kingdom Ministries Golden Isles Rd. Pastor, Apostle Clement Neely The Minister of Education (Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald) will read UNESCOs International Literacy Day Message on radio and television The National Literacy Service will host an Adult Student Forum; the keynote speaker is Mr. Troy Clarke.

2nd September, 2012

8th September, 2012

27th September, 2012

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A progressive trade union movement plays a larger role than just representing their members on the shop floor. It must have a central role in democratization both of politics and economic policy. To fulfill these roles, it has to be characterized by greater internal democracy, ensuring worker control of the operations and decisions of the union.
(Excerpt from, A Strategic Perspective on the International Trade Union Movement for the 21st Century: A Minimum Platform to Reposition the ICFTU to Meet the Challenges of the New Millennium, July 2001) http://www.cosatu.org.za/docs/discussion/2001/icftu-mr.htm

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ILO Turin Centre http://www.itcilo.org/en International Trade Union Confederation http://www.ituc-csi.org/rio-20.html the ILO Workers' Relations Bureau http://www.ilo.org/actrav/lang--en/index.htm Decent Work Country Programme, The Bahamas http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/program/ dwcp/download/bahamas.pdf ILO Caribbean http://www.ilo.org/ipec/Regionsandcountries/ LatinAmericaandCaribbean/lang--en/index.htm Trade Union History, Bahamas www.nctu-bahamas.org www.sirrandolfawkes.com

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Dear Friends, We are very happy to have completed another addition of the newsletter for the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas and we would like to thank each and everyone one of you who took the time to make a contribution. The name of the newsletter is The Workers Voice which was a name that Sir Randol Fawkes gave to the Bahamas Federation of Labor's newspaper in 1959. This current newsletter gives to you, the worker, a voicea means to communicate with your fellow brothers and sisters in the union. Additionally, through the Workers Voice, you now have the opportunity of profiling your union and the work that you are doing. It is our aim to introduce to you all of the affiliate unions attached to the NCTU. In each edition, we also will bring you content that is historical in nature. History informs us of the struggles that our forbears underwent and the debt of appreciation that we owe them for the sacrifices made. The newsletter will also enable us to document the history that is being made to day so that future generations will be inspired by our efforts . Finally would you like to be apart of this communications venture? Do you have a story to tell, an opinion to share? Do you have English, photography, graphic arts design skills? If your answer is Yes then we would appreciate hearing from you. With thanks Sheleta Collie Chairman of the Public Relations Committee
National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas Ph: 242-356-7459 Fax: 3242-56-7457 E-mail: ncongress@hotmail.com Website: nctu-bahamas.org