Legal action against teachers…

RETURN OF KARL’S PUBLIC ORDER ACT 

THE Government’s late-night legal action to block teachers from boycotting classes over their pay row is a throwback to the draconian Public Order Act of 50 years ago. 

Then, a PNM regime, with controversial Attorney General Karl Hudson-Phillips, attempted to outlaw public dissent, including protests and public gatherings. 

Hudson-Phillips’ 1972 handiwork included banning the Black Power salute – an upraised clenched fist. 

The law added to the weight of the Sedition Act, archaic legislation similar to that used years ago by tyrannical administrations against public critics. 

Angry cries of oppression led Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams to withdraw the Public Order Act, and Hudson-Phillips to offer his resignation. 

Calypsonian Chalkdust, then a thorn at the side of the authorities, sang the epic “Ah ‘Fraid Karl”, painting the Attorney General as repressive and authoritarian. 

Hudson-Phillips later introduced the Summary Offences Act, in which he introduced several piecemeal measures that were in the Public Order Act. 

With control of all parliamentary seats (the Opposition had boycotted the 1971 general election), the Williams Government passed the legislation. 

The ex-parte injunction against teachers follows the use of the Sedition Act by the current regime against trade unionist-politician Watson Duke and religious leader and commentator Sat Maharaj, who is now deceased. 

The boycotting of classes is a protest tool used by teachers in democracies around the world. 

Attorney General Reginald Armour warned that Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) could be decertified and fined if it failed to honour the injunction. 

Armour also cautioned medical doctors against issuing sick leave certificates to teachers for the stipulated period. 

The Government’s action was taken under provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, a 1973 legislation that has been criticised by the labour sector as harsh and oppressive. 

The injunction against teachers follows a history of anti-worker measures against the working class by successive PNM administrations. 

TTUTA’s President Antonia DeFreitas has led a one-person protest outside of the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain, against the Government’s offer of a four per cent salary increase for teachers. 

The Government has repeatedly made the pronouncement, thus taking over the bargaining process from the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO). 

Labour leader Ancel Roget termed the injunction “a frontal attack on trade unions” and on “any position contrary to that led by the Government.” 

Roget stated: “It is easy for us to conclude that we are no longer in a democracy; we are no longer … free citizens.” 

He condemned the “dictatorial approach” of the Rowley Government. 

“We are now convinced that you are against trade unions in the country,” Roget stressed. 

He claimed that the authorities utilised Police Special Branch officers to visit schools to determine which teachers were absent.