So is this "Pan before Band" that the young players are sprouting these days a serious movement that a union or organization can be built on to represent the pan players? Or is it just a cover for a boat ride and a way to free up panists to play in more than one band without feeling disloyal.
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It is no secret that Pan Trinbago is not a Trade Union, although that organization may have operated, and was registered as a Union representing the interest of steelpan players, prior to its incorporation as an act of parliament in 1986. "The general membership of the steelband Movement decided that it would better serve their interests in the development and promotion of the steelband, to become incorporated by an Act of Parliament here in Trinidad and Tobago..."
About Pan Trinbago
The International Labor Organization's (ILO) definition of a trade union, and what is expected of one.
ILO definition of A Trade Union (Pg. 8)
A trade union is an organization based on membership of employees in various trades, occupations and professions, whose major focus is the representation of its members at the workplace and in the wider society. It particularly seeks to advance its interest through the process of rule-making and collective bargaining.
The organization may have involuntarily become both Union and Employer, and I believe that most of us already know that, "Two Man Rat Cannot Live In One Hole".
I want to take this opportunity to wish all MOTHERS and DOLLY HOUSE MAMMIES (past and practicing) a happy mothers day.
In all the years that I have followed PAN and PAN TRINBAGO, only ONE MAN has ever had the insight into the purpose and deployment of PAN TRINBAGO!!!
And that man is DOCTOR KIM JOHNSON whom I have quoted many times on THIS FORUM.
So all this "UNION TALK" people on THIS FORUM PUSHING just shows that they DO NOT UNDERSTAND the ROLE OF PAN TRINBAGO in the BIG POLITICAL PICTURE!!!
I did not even realize that KIM JOHNSON get old like everybody else ...
Dr. Kim Johnson might be "Old School Boy" (and a fellow alumnus of Trinity College) for whom I also have great respect and admiration. But notwithstanding the purpose of Pan Trinbago, it's difficult to argue or imagine that it's current structure is duly and dutifully serving the interest of the Pan Community at large, other that a select few. And frankly, I am not sure a change of leadership reincarnated would make a real difference, with the propensity for bobbol which permeates far too many levels of T&T society. So that being said, what's wrong with restructuring as a proper Trade Union which can negotiate directly with all other entities, public or private ?
Andre: You missed a lot of my embedded premises. The TRADE UNION DREAM for PAN MEN will never become reality in OUR LIFETIME. So those who want to HELP and CHANGE THE PLIGHT OF PAN MEN have to look for PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS!!!
And, by the way, I like you and SALMON CUPID --PLENTY!!! PLENTY!!!
Thanks. I have many friends who are artist in Canada and the majority are members of ACTRA whom they relay on to "have their backs" in the very affairs Pan Trinbago is supposed to represent. Pan Trinbago is "supposed" to function in principle as a trade union, so it begs the question, why is that so ineffective? Is it due to a lack of informed knowledge, political will, both or something different? This should function better than having to hustle for a cicada, not so?
Pan Trinibago does not operate as a Trade Union. In practice, it functions more after the self-interest of the few over the many. Once a proper "autonomous" trade union was formed, the dynamics of Pan Trinbago would have to evolve or go the way of the dodo bird.
To those whom it may concern: THE CIP has taken A REST from THE FORUM, offended by some commentary directed at the organization. Commentary described by THE CIP as acerbic, vitriolic and volatile.
The truth is that some members of THE FORUM have lost patience with the FALSE PROMISES and DIRECT MISREPRESENTATIONS of THE CIP -- always seeing itself as a CENTRAL PLAYER in the PAN TRINBAGO POLITICAL GAME, but not being SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH to be even get named in a LAW SUIT!!!
As we all know things keep changing all the time!!! What used to be THE KEITH DIAZ CEMETERY is now THE RICHARD FORTEAU CEMETERY. So anyone who is looking for THE CIP -- THE RICHARD FORTEAU CEMETERY is the MOST LIKELY place that you would find them.
I am sure that they will be RIDING in on their HIGH HORSE whenever the NEXT WIND blows the SLIGHTEST SLIVER of HOPE (FALSE HOPE?) -- with the USUAL POMPOSITY!!!
I strongly suspect that a Pan Players Union exists at least in principle, if not in practice. Although I may not be able to verify whether or not that body is incorporated and/or active, I can say without contradiction that I am aware of an initiative started by a rastaman from Diego Martin named Bevon (I call him Bellies) who plays a quadro with Phase II. My understanding (from a distant) was that panmen, encouraged or discouraged by their band leaders, who were pressured by the Pan Trinbago Executive of the day with isolation, from consideration for handouts, rejected the idea and never supported it. This is how it was related to me by the founder.
That body would have been the catalyst, or can be the catalyst for effecting any meaningful change in how things are done at 14-17 Park Street, Port of Spain. That is where I would want to believe the true voice of the Panman would have been heard coming from.
It would be extremely kind of either CIP principal reading this to verify the authenticity of the information I shared above.