As he was saluted with union flags and serenaded with music, retired general secretary of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union, David Abdulah, received the union’s highest award on Friday night for 39 years of service.
Abdulah, who retired from the union earlier this month, received an outpouring of praise from members of the labour movement both locally and internationally at the function held at Palms Club, San Fernando. President general of OWTU, Ancel Roget said Abdulah’s intellectual capacity and academic training as an economist brought benefits to thousands of workers.
“David had plenty choices. After graduating from UWI as an economist, he chose a career path meant to transform the society.
“He did not choose a career path that will bring him great monetary value or personal wealth because he realised that the world needed changes,” Roget said.
While Abdulah’s colleagues went on to higher education, Roget said Abdulah used his skills to improve the plight of workers.
“He wanted to change the way the world was ordered and so he found a home in the OWTU.
“Through his dedication to the OWTU, he ensured that this great organisation became a better institution. Some didn’t know his contribution, others did not care, but everyone benefitted,” Roget said.
He said: “David was about building consciousness in the trade union movement. He taught me that trade unionism is not just about grievances and getting more benefits. It is not just about collective bargaining. It is about building consciousness in the society and that is why politics is inextricably linked to trade unionism.”
OWTU’s chief research officer Ozzi Wharwick said Abdulah drafted and collaborated with others in the writing of major memorandum—the Case of the Peoples Ownership of the Oil Industry 1982, the People’s Alternative Budget, 1984, memorandum to the NAR government in 1987 and Ministers of Finance memorandum.
“His progressive ideas were articulated in the mass media. His idea of a second Republic is one of the most profound political thoughts in the contemporary politics,” Wharwick said.
Management consultant, Dr Aubrey Armstrong, of Guyana, who also spoke, said Abdulah’s work in trade unionism brought benefits to the working class.
“His work has enabled the OWTU to produce several generations of competent, politically-conscious people,” Armstrong said.
Abdulah said his decision to leave the OWTU has given him more time to build the Movement for Social Justice.
He said he was confident that the OWTU was in capable hands. He also congratulated Richard Lee, executive trustee who has now assumed the position of general secretary.