December 11 marks 40 years of bauxite workers strike in Guyana

This year marks 40 years since 42 striking bauxite workers were tear-gassed in a cell at the Linden Police Station.  Only a handful of people about six are around in Linden; the rest are scattered or deceased.  It was a most traumatic and ugly experience that left a bitter taste in the minds of the victims.


It was an era of some turbulence and anxiety, with radical trade union activism and agitation. There were workers’ protests, demonstrations and strikes, and in many instances jobs were lost, although the fear of being victimized kept others in line.  

After the Guyana Mine Workers Union was invited to the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union Congress to be part of the agenda ? which was a customary thing then between unions ? they gave a splendid and dramatic presentation by way of a skit.  Ironically this painful experience created much laughter and held the audience in rapt attention.

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It is interesting to note that the year 2016 is also the 100th year of bauxite mining (1916- 2016) which is celebrated in October-November. And these anniversaries coincide with the 40th anniversary of the 42 workers who were tear-gassed.  Those workers made a tremendous contribution, each one of them an integral force in bauxite mining.