Communication Workers' Union
Our Founder
The Communication Workers’ Union pays special tribute/remembrance to our very own labour hero and Stalwart Comrade Lyle Joseph Townsend, fondly known as Charlie and Chic. Cde Townsend can be remembered as the most uncompromising and aggressive Trinbagonian trade unionist who displayed and won with “in your face” tactics and hard-line stances over the last 20 odd years.
To know where we are going is good but it is significantly important to know where we came from. He emerged into national prominence in the mid 1970’s when, together with Ian Clarke and the late Wayne Edwards, he defeated the autocratic Secretary-General of the CWU Carl Tull and was elected the Union’s new Secretary-General at the Convention.
Lyle Townsend was an activist of the 1976 United Labour Front (ULF) of Weekes, Young, Panday and Shah. When the ULF split, he then became a member of the Committee For Labour Solidarity (CLS) and then the Movement For Social Transformation (MOTION). With the mantra “Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win”, Comrade Lyle Townsend’s influence on the CWU was both profound and beneficial to its members. The Union gained respect and workers greatly increased their salaries/wages and benefits from mediocre to one of the highest and better packages of benefits in Trinbago. For this, we say thank you. Comrade Townsend passed away on April 27th, 2012, but his life’s lessons, contributions and legacy live on.
Mission Statement
The Communication Workers' Union aims to socially, politically, economically and culturally empower its members, working people and underprivileged in keeping with the national interest.
Vision Statement
The Communication Workers' Union is committed to the defence and advancement of the lives of its members, working people and Underprivileged of society.
Our 5-values Flag
Compassion
Integrity
Justice
Dedication
Excellence
The Executive Team
Our Executive Board consists of eleven members and is led by its Secretary General, most Trade Unions are led by its President but the CWU is a Secretary General Led organization. History was made by its first female President and Secretary General comrade sister Joanne Ogeer ascending to office in 2020 and 2023 in the respective roles. Sister Ogeer is the Secretary General for the period 2023 to 2026.
Joanne Ogeer - Secretary General
Claire-Anne Leach Lewis - President
Krystle Khan - Deputy Secretary General
Joely Mohammed - Vice President
Giselle Thomas - Treasurer
Donna Dickson - Deputy Treasurer
Education Officer - Leonid Gervais
Research Officer - Abigail Ashby-Davis
Stephen Mc Lean - Trustee
Joel Dennis - Trustee
Arthur Riley - Trustee
Brief introduction to the Officers
Secretary-General Joanne Ogeer served on the national executive as its deputy Treasurer from 2014 to 2017, Vice President from 2017 to 2020 and made history as the first female President of the CWU from 2020 to 2023 serving its Secretary General at the time comrade Clyde Elder. Then upon demitting office in 2023 comrade Elder handed the reigns to comrade Ogeer who again made history as the first female SG of the CWU for the period 2023 to 2026 initiating many strides in having its first women auxiliary arm and taking the Union into a technological tide of change of advancement and recognition embracing gender equality and stands by “ women belong in all places where decisions are made” a quote by Ruth Bader Ginsburg and evidenced in her composition of women on her Executive being seven women in service.
“Justice delayed is justice denied”
William E. Gladstone