# General Strike Against the Government (18 April to 8 July 1963)

URL: https://allhistories.com/guyana/timeline/1963-general-strike-against-the-government
Location: Georgetown, British Guiana
Themes: main-event

On 18 April 1963 trade unions opposed to the government began a general strike, mainly in Georgetown and the bauxite and public sectors. It lasted until 8 July, about 80 days, and brought disorder in which at least 11 people died. Union leaders and the opposition demanded the withdrawal of a Labour Relations Bill modelled on the 1953 measure. The strike was linked to the PNC and to the anti-communist union bodies that had foreign backing, including from the United States. US records show funds for strike-related efforts from July 1963. Cuba shipped oil to relieve fuel shortages in May. The government argued that the strike was political, and its opponents said the bill threatened union independence. The strike weakened the economy and widened racial divisions, and it persuaded Britain that the government could not govern. It strengthened Washington's resolve to back a new electoral system. The strike is a landmark in Guyanese labour history and in the story of Cold War intervention in the Caribbean region.

## Why it matters
The long strike crippled the government and made the colony ungovernable by its elected leaders.

Ruler at the Time: [Ralph Francis Alnwick Grey](https://allhistories.com/guyana/rulers/ralph-francis-alnwick-grey)

Chief Minister (1957-1961) and Premier (1961-1964) of British Guiana: Cheddi Jagan

## Sources
- [Cheddi Jagan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddi_Jagan)
- [british-guiana-1928-1966](https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/western-hemisphere-region/british-guiana-1928-1966)
- [gy-jagan-3.htm](https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/caribbean/gy-jagan-3.htm)