The honouring of former president of Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot-Aventurin by her successor Stuart Johnson (see Monday paper) should not go unnoticed. For close to three decades, she was the face of not just education sector personnel but local unionism, along with other stalwarts like Windward Islands Federation of Labour (WIFOL) president Theophilus Thompson.
Although this newspaper certainly did not always agree with the positions Elshot-Aventurin took, her conviction, determination, steadfastness and genuine concern for WITU’s members as well as other employees and pensioners were appreciated. She will be missed, because experience is important when it regards worker representation, and – as Johnson himself acknowledged – leaves some big shoes to fill.
There has been no announcement about her being on the board of Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU). However, one can assume eventually that too will come to an end, as the post usually rotates between sitting individual union presidents.
Mature leadership becomes especially crucial in times of crisis like the current one, with continued cuts still needed in both the public and private sectors. This is when employers and employees most need to realise their common interest outweighs any differences there might be.
Ultimately, they are in the same boat.
