"Chief Servant" Butler

Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler (1897-1977), was a Grenadian-born preacher and labour leader in Trinidad and Tobago. He is best known for leading a series of labour riots between June 19 and July 6, 1937 and for forming a series of personalist political parties (the British Empire Citizens' and Workers' Home Rule Party, the Butler Home Rule Party and finally the Butler Party) that focused its platform on the improvement of the working class. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (703x1002, 61 KB) From http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (703x1002, 61 KB) From http://www. ... 1897 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... June 19 is the 170th day of the year (171st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 195 days remaining. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The British Empire Citizens and Workers Home Rule Party, Butler Home Rule Party and the Butler Party were a series of political parties in Trinidad and Tobago organised by T.U.B. Butler. ...

Butler first came to prominence in 1935 when he lead a "hunger march" from the oilfields to Port-of-Spain. In 1936 he was expelled from the Trinidad Labour Party for his "extremist tendencies". He then formed the British Empire Citizens' and Workers' Home Rule Party. On June 19th 1937, a strike against poor working conditions, miniscule wages, racism and exploitation began in the oilfields in the South of the island. Police attempted to arrest Butler as he addreassed a meeting in the town of Fyzabad. His supporters prevented the police from doing so and a policeman was killed. The Labour insurrection of 1937 resulted in turmoil not only in the oilfields, but among all categories of workers throughout the country. Butler went into hiding and the colonial authorities were unble to locate him. He stayed in contact with the authorities through Adrian Cola Rienzi and although he was promised safe passage by the colonial authorities to testify at a commission of enquiry into the events of June 1937, he was arrested by the colonial government when he emerged to do so. Butler was imprisoned from September 9, 1937 to May 1939. With the outbreak of World War II in September, 1939, Butler was re-arrested and detained for the duration of the war. After release from prison Butler formed the Butler Home Rule Party, which later became the Butler Party. The Butler Party which captured the largest block of seats in the Legislative Council, but the Governor chose to exclude Butler and instead Albert Gomes became the first Chief Minister. 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Port-of-Spain, population 49,000 (metro: 300,000) (2000), is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... This article is about the month of May. ... 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as the largest and deadliest... The Legislative Council of Trinidad and Tobago served as an advisory commission to the Governor in British-ruled Trinidad and Tobago, between 1925 and independence in 1961. ... Albert Maria Gomes (b. ... A Chief Minister is the elected Head of Government of a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British overseas territory that has attained self-government. ...

In the 1956 General Elections the Butler Party only won two seats. Butler, hero of the Afro-Trinidadian working class was effectively dispossessed by Eric Williams and the People's National Movement. Elections in Trinidad and Tobago gives information on election and election results in Trinidad and Tobago. ... Afro-Trinidadian refers to people of African descent who are citizens or nationals of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Dr. Eric Williams Dr. Eric Eustace Williams (September 25, 1911 – March 29, 1981) was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. ... The Peoples National Movement is apolitical party in Trinidad and Tobago. ...

Butler is looked upon as the founding father of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU)and the labour movement and is honoured with a statue in Fyzabad, the town in which the strikes began. He was awarded the Trinity Cross, the nation's highest honour, in 1972. The Oilfields Workers Trade Union or OWTU is one of the most powerful trade unions in Trinidad and Tobago. ... Fyzabad is a town in southwestern Trinidad, south of San Fernando, west of Siparia and northeast of Point Fortin. ... The Trinity Cross (abbreviated T.C.) is the highest national award in Trinidad and Tobago. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ...

References

• Malik, Yogendra K. 1971. East Indians in Trinidad. Oxford University Press. ISBN 019218198X
• Meighoo, Kirk. 2003. Politics in a Half Made Society: Trinidad and Tobago, 1925-2002 ISBN 1558763066