The union gains in Guantanamo are remembered today as the eastern province celebrates May Day, the International Workers' Day.
The union gains in Guantanamo are remembered today as the eastern province celebrates May Day, the International Workers' Day.
This territory begins the workers' struggles in 1911, with the creation of the railway unions, and the support of tobacco sector, charioteers, and carpenters, a spirit of unity that led to the origin of a proletarian circle.
Nicomedes Quiala emerges as a union leader, defender of the demonstrations carried out in Soledad and Confluente sugar mills, for the eight hours workday, determining actions for the establishment of the first union in 1924.
The October Socialist Revolution also influenced the movement, whose emancipation spirit flooded the world and inspired strikes in la Esperanza, Los Canos, San Antonio and La Isabel sugar mills. It had the students´ support, which led to reforms by the pseudo-republic governments.
As opposed to that exploitation epoch, this May Day, to give thanks to Fidel and the Revolution, over one hundred thousand Guantanamo residents march along the Mariana Grajales Square, where they will demand the closing of the US Naval Base that since 1903 usurps part of our territory.
The territory improves base structures, advances in the training of its leaders, increases productivity, applies prevention plans for the safety and health of its members and organizes debates in work laces against social indiscipline and the materialization of the Communist Party guidelines.
On the Workers´ Day, Guantanamo pays tribute to Jesus Menendez, who in 1946, after touring local mills, demanded the payment of the sugar sector.
With his legacy, labor leaders today continue to increase union achievements, at the heat of the Cuban Revolution.
Traslation: Ilia Charon