The unions recognised the Necessity for unity and solidarity, not only of the workers in each union, but among all the individual unions. They consolidated themselves into a national organisation of trade unions. The first such umbrella trade union organisation was established in 1938; the Committee of Industrial Organisation (CIO), led by Rienzi. It changed its name to the Trinidad and Tobago Trades Union Council (TTUC) in 1939. 

The on-again-off-again unity of the trade union movement has led to the situation in recent years of the existence of not 2, but, 3 trade union ‘centres’ – NATUC, FITUN and JTUM.
These ‘centres’ routinely engage in exercises to decide which political party of the status quo to pin their hopes on. Some have reached the point of ‘negotiating’ agreements with political parties while in Opposition, knowing full well that such ‘memoranda’ cannot be enforced.
Several individual unions are also in a state of disorganization, some founded in the crucible years 1937-38. Education programmes and effective representation at various levels of the disputes process have been weakened or non-existent. There are even several unions which exclusively take up grievances and disputes on behalf of individual workers.
The strength of the trade union movement is based on the Unity and Solidarity of the workers and their organisations in fighting for their common interests and aims.
However, that is not possible in an atmosphere of division and disunity. That is the clear lesson of the entire history of the trade union movement since 1937. 
What Do YOU Think of the State of the Trade Union Movement in 2018?

We are told in various speeches by Government Ministers that all the measures being taken in the 2018 Budget and otherwise are aimed at making 'everyone pay their fair share of the cost of adjustment". 
Some have argued that that is not so. 
According to the critics, the cuts in subsidies for fuel and other subsidies leading to increased prices and utility costs, increased taxes and freezes and cuts in wages and salaries result in the reduction of the purchasing power of the workers and those on fixed incomes. 
On the other hand, any increases in taxes, costs do not affect business, particularly, big business at all or anywhere close to the way in which the workers and poor are affected. 
The businesses can pass on increases to the consumers (workers and the poor) by increasing their prices. 
The banks and finance institutions, as well as the big conglomerates continue to report increasing profits while wages are frozen or cut, jobs are lost. 
This is further evidence that the burden is NOT equally or equitably share, it is argued. 
What do you think?