Why not rename?

It seems that with each passing year, leaders of trade unions within the country have been requesting that Labour Day be named in honour of Sir Randol Fawkes, the nation's founder of the labour movement.

One wonders, if Sir Randol who is fondly called the 'Father of Labour' has done so much to shape the way we as Bahamians have enjoyed the benefits of well organized labour, then why not rename the holiday in his honour?

Furthermore, when you consider the outstanding achievements of Sir Randol, it becomes clear that there is absolutely no reason at all why the Labour Day holiday should not bear his name. In 1961, he successfully piloted through the House of Assembly, the Bill which established Labour Day as a public holiday.

Sir Randol Fawkes was a statesman, an attorney-at-law, a free trade unionist, a civil rights activist, a sportsman, author and a musician. Those who were privileged to have been mentored by him, saw him as a genius, one of quiet disposition at times, and then radical in his involvement with anything that he believed would benefit The Bahamas a whole.

For those who are old enough to remember this great Bahamian hero, many of them will no doubt recall his struggle for equality for all Bahamians, especially his passionate pursuit of majority rule where he gave full commitment to ensuring that the first Black government would come to independently rule The Bahamas.

The Free Trade Union Movement is still a strong force in the country and one cannot argue that it is because of his dedication and concern that many of the trade unions within The Bahamas have experienced huge success.

Sir Randol was also a man who believed in God. His 'meek way' of dealing with people earned him much respect. Some say he was never arrogant or unapproachable. In fact, the friendly manner in which he talked to most folks allowed them to see that he was man of high moral standards and one who understood the plight of the small man on the street.

Today's children are taught to honour our national heroes. Sir Randol is a hero whose impeccable standard of living is more than worthy of having a national holiday named after him. It is now therefore not a question of if Labour Day will be renamed after him, but when.

Sir Randol's widow, Jacqueline Lady Fawkes was at the recent Trade Union Congress parade in the capital where she expressed her gratitude to those who were still honouring her husband's legacy.

"He was not that hard to please. He liked to see things go on. He would be so proud to see that they haven't forgotten Labour Day. It's still going on. Labour is a force to be reckoned with in the community and I don't know what we would do without them. Sometimes I think they are sleeping giants."

The labour movement in The Bahamas will never die. It is here to stay indefinitely. Evidence of this is seen in the thousands of workers who flood the streets in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, and every other island.

No matter their differences, on that one great day, Labour Day, labour unions unite and become one. That is the vision that propelled Sir Randol to give his endeavour best and that vision can be fulfilled if and whenever the Labour Day holiday is changed to Sir Randol Fawkes Day.

© 2008 The Freeport News