Tobago’s Working Class in the 1920s,1930s

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THE Workingmen’s Association (WMA) formed in Port of Spain in 1894, was the first labour fraternity of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.

During the period 1894-1896, the WMA attracted certain categories of workers comprising skilled workers of African- descent who were masons, carpenters, railway workers and store clerks. For almost a decade, the WMA remained dormant and was not engaged in any serious involvement in public affairs.

The decision of the colonial government to establish a nominated Town Board in 1906 provided an opportunity for the revival of the WMA when its leaders associated themselves with the discontented groups and individuals seeking a restoration of the Borough Council in Port of Spain.

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The WMA was later changed to Trinidad Workingmen’s Association (TWA) and its president, Captain Arthur Cipriani, played a major role in mobilising the working class and establishing branches in Tobago. Cipriani’s vision for Tobago was one where the working class would be empowered and gain political acumen. Furthermore, the TWA’s presence in Tobago included selecting candidates, canvassing and educating citizens on social and economic issues.

The involvement and organisation of Labour in Tobago began during the 1920s. However, Labour in Trinidad had a much earlier beginning. The Trinidad Workingmen’s Association (TWA) was the first labour organization, from Trinidad, to enter Tobago to establish branches of its organization. The TWA was also the first Labour organization to contest elections during the 1920s and 1930s in Tobago.

The activities of the TWA and its formation of branches were not confined to Trinidad. By July 1929, the TWA signalled its interest in consolidating its activities in Tobago, and in early January 1930 branches of the association were established in Plymouth, Scarborough, Patience Hill, Lambeaux Village, Mason Hall, Roxborough, Belle Garden Moriah, Glamorgan, Bethel, Canaan and Bloody Bay. The Labour Leader reported that as a result of the efforts of Aldon F Charles and members of the Scarborough branch, 208 workers had enrolled in the association and more than 100 members joined the TWA in Tobago.

Towards the end of January 1930, a delegation of nine members from Trinidad including Cipriani, Timothy Roodal, Vivian Henry and Brathwaite visited Tobago for affiliation ceremonies for branches of the Association.

The labour representatives from Trinidad were greeted by a crowd of 6,000 persons wearing red rosettes signifying their support for labour.

The reception committee comprising L Edwards (Secretary), J St Louis of the Moriah branch, William Timothy of Bloody Bay, N Williams from Plymouth and H. Frederick of Belle Garden joined a procession led by a brass band, along Main and Bacelot Streets to the R.C grounds where Cipriani gave his inaugural address to the large crowd.

The delegation from Trinidad visited 16 districts including Pembroke, Speyside, Glamorgan, Roxborough, Delaford and Belle Garden. A fund-raising effort was undertaken in Scarborough to build a “Labour house” on the island.

Although there was some consolidation in the work of the TWA in Tobago during the period 1929-1930, there were reported attempts to frustrate the recruitment efforts of the Association “… certain mischievous persons… still try to mislead the workers, by inducing them not to join the TWA, but Tobago labourers are getting wise and will no longer allow themselves to be exploited…” Nevertheless, the Association continued to consolidate its position with the formation of new branches, such as Pembroke branch which received its certificate of affiliation in May 1930.

Tobago’s participation in the elections of 1925 was merely another phase in its long association with representative institutions.

The 1924 Constitution allocated one seat to Tobago among the seven elected members in the new Council. This small concession did not diminish the enthusiasm and involvement of candidates and supporters in electioneering in the island.

The Labour Leader reported, “Tobago is hot with the question of the coming election. This is the subject that is being freely discussed. It is not known to a certainty how many candidates will contest the seat for Tobago at the Legislative Council, but Mr James A Biggart is electrifying his countrymen to be up and doing in his favour, and many have caught his inspiration.”