Who Was Buzz Butler?
Trinidad and Tobago has produced many great men and women — leaders, scholars, artists, and athletes who have made our twin island republic proud. Among the greatest of these is Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler — a man who gave his life in service of ordinary working people, who stood up to colonial power when it was dangerous to do so, and who helped change the course of Trinidad and Tobago’s history forever.
Buzz Butler was a labour leader, trade unionist, and political activist who fought for the rights of workers — especially the poor oil field workers of south Trinidad — at a time when those workers had almost no rights at all. His courage, his passion, and his willingness to sacrifice sparked the 1937 workers’ uprising, one of the most important events in Caribbean history, and set Trinidad and Tobago on the path to independence.
At Homeschool Self Study, we believe that knowing the stories of our national heroes is an essential part of every child’s education. The story of Buzz Butler teaches us about bravery, justice, community, and the power of one determined person to change the world.
Early Life: From Grenada to Trinidad
Tubal Uriah Butler was born on April 21, 1897, in Grenada — a small island in the southern Caribbean. He came from a humble background and grew up knowing what it meant to work hard for very little.
As a young man, Butler served in World War I with the British West Indies Regiment — Caribbean soldiers who fought for the British Empire but returned home to find they were still treated as second-class citizens in their own region. This experience of fighting for others’ freedom while being denied his own shaped Butler deeply.
After the war, Butler moved to Trinidad in the early 1920s, initially to work in the booming oil industry in the south of the island — an area around Fyzabad, Point Fortin, and San Fernando. He worked in the oil fields alongside thousands of other Caribbean workers: men who dug, drilled, and maintained the machinery that extracted oil from Trinidad’s earth, often in dangerous conditions, for wages that barely covered their basic needs.
Butler became a member of a Christian evangelical movement and was known for his powerful preaching style — which is thought to be one source of his nickname “Buzz,” referring to the energy and electricity of his speeches.
The Oil Fields and the Suffering of Workers
To understand why Buzz Butler became a hero, we need to understand the conditions that workers faced in 1930s Trinidad.
The oil industry in Trinidad was owned and controlled by foreign companies — primarily British companies — that extracted enormous wealth from Trinidad’s natural resources. The profits flowed largely back to Britain. Meanwhile, the workers who made those profits possible lived in poverty.
Working conditions in the 1930s oil fields:
- Workers earned as little as $0.30 to $0.50 per day — barely enough to survive
- Working hours were long, with no guaranteed limit
- The work was dangerous — injuries and deaths were common, with minimal compensation
- Workers had no legal right to form trade unions or negotiate collectively
- They could be dismissed at any time without notice or reason
- Housing near the oil fields was often crowded and poor
- Black and East Indian workers faced racial discrimination in hiring and promotion
The great majority of these workers were from the African and Indian communities of Trinidad — descendants of enslaved people and indentured labourers who had already endured generations of exploitation. For them, the oil fields represented both opportunity and continued oppression.
Butler Finds His Calling: The Voice of the Workers
In the early 1930s, Buzz Butler began to speak up. He attended public meetings, gave passionate speeches, and organised workers across the oil belt. He demanded better wages, safer conditions, and the recognition of workers’ right to organise.
Butler became a member of the Trinidad Labour Party and worked with figures like Captain Arthur Andrew Cipriani, who had championed workers’ rights for years. But Butler felt the movement was too cautious. He wanted more direct, urgent action on behalf of the poorest workers.
By the mid-1930s, Butler had become the leading voice of the oil field workers. He travelled across south Trinidad, speaking at corners, churches, and meeting halls. His style was electrifying — part preacher, part political orator — and workers flocked to hear him.
In 1936, Butler founded the British Empire Workers and Citizens Home Rule Party, a political and labour organisation dedicated to fighting for workers’ rights and, ultimately, for self-government for Trinidad and Tobago.
June 19, 1937: The Day That Changed Everything
On June 19, 1937, Butler was addressing a large gathering of workers at an oil field in Fyzabad, south Trinidad. A warrant had been issued for his arrest. When police officers arrived, the assembled workers refused to allow it. A confrontation broke out. Corporal King was killed in the violence that followed. The unrest spread rapidly — strikes erupted across the oil fields, fires were lit, and the region descended into several days of upheaval.
The 1937 disturbances — also known as the Butler Riots or the 1937 Workers’ Uprising — shook the British colonial establishment to its core. British warships were sent to Trinidad. Butler went into hiding for several weeks before surrendering. He was arrested, tried, and imprisoned.
But the workers had been heard.
The Aftermath: Change Begins
The 1937 disturbances forced the British colonial government to respond. The Forster Commission documented the terrible conditions workers faced and recommended significant reforms.
Major changes that followed:
- Trade unions were officially recognised and legalised
- Minimum wage laws were introduced
- Working conditions in the oil industry improved
- Workers gained formal rights to organise and bargain collectively
- The Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) was founded in 1937
- Political reform began, leading to universal adult suffrage in 1946 and independence in 1962
Butler After 1937: A Life in Service
- 1939: Imprisoned again at the outbreak of World War II
- 1945: Released from detention; resumed political activities
- 1946: Won a seat in the Legislative Council under universal adult suffrage
- 1962: Lived to see Trinidad and Tobago independence
- 1977: Passed away on February 20, aged 79
- 1987: Declared a National Hero of Trinidad and Tobago
Why Buzz Butler Is a National Hero
- He risked his life and freedom to stand up for ordinary working people
- His actions directly led to trade union recognition and labour laws that protect workers today
- He was a pioneer of mass political organisation in Trinidad and Tobago
- He contributed to the chain of events leading to universal adult suffrage and independence
- He bridged racial lines — uniting African and Indian workers in common struggle
- June 19 is celebrated as Labour Day in his honour
What Children Can Learn from Buzz Butler
Courage and conviction — Butler stood up for what was right even when it was dangerous, facing imprisonment and persecution from the most powerful forces in Trinidad.
Justice and fairness — He believed all workers deserved fair wages, safe conditions, and dignity regardless of race or background.
Community and solidarity — His movement united African and Indian workers in a common cause, showing children the power of coming together.
One person can make a difference — Butler started with nothing but a powerful belief and the ability to speak truth. Every child can learn that individual action matters.
Hands-On Activities for Ages 5 to 11
Activity 1: Buzz Butler’s Timeline (Ages 6–10)
Create a visual timeline of Buzz Butler’s life.
What to do:
- Draw a long horizontal line on paper
- Mark key dates: 1897 (born in Grenada), 1914–1918 (WWI), 1920s (moves to Trinidad), 1937 (June 19 uprising), 1946 (elected to Legislative Council), 1977 (passes away), 1987 (declared National Hero)
- Illustrate each event with a small drawing
- Add a sentence explaining why each event was important
Learning connection: History — sequencing events; Language Arts — research and writing; Art — illustration
Activity 2: Write a Speech Like Buzz Butler (Ages 7–11)
Butler was famous for his powerful speeches. Try writing one!
What to do:
- Imagine you are Buzz Butler speaking to oil field workers in 1937
- Write a short speech explaining: why workers deserve fair wages, why workers must stand together, what you want to change
- Practise reading it aloud with energy and conviction
- Optional: record a video of your speech
Tip: Start with a strong opening line. Use repetition. End with a call to action.
Learning connection: Language Arts — persuasive writing, public speaking; History; Drama
Activity 3: Before and After (Ages 8–11)
What to do:
- Create a two-page spread: “Life for Workers BEFORE 1937” and “Life for Workers AFTER 1937”
- For each side, describe or illustrate: wages, working hours, safety, right to organise, right to vote
- Write a paragraph: Which change do you think was most important and why?
Learning connection: History — cause and effect; Social Studies; Language Arts — comparative writing
Activity 4: Be a Reporter on June 19, 1937 (Ages 8–11)
What to do:
- Imagine you are a newspaper reporter in Fyzabad on June 19, 1937
- Write a front-page article with: a headline, opening paragraph (Who, What, When, Where, Why), quotes from imaginary workers, a biography box about Butler
- Design your newspaper page with a name, date, and illustration
Learning connection: Language Arts — journalistic writing; History; Art — layout and design
Activity 5: National Heroes of T&T (Ages 7–11)
What to do:
- Research: Who are the other declared National Heroes of Trinidad and Tobago?
- For each hero: What did they do? When did they live? Why were they declared a national hero?
- Make a “National Heroes” booklet — one page per hero, with a portrait drawing and short biography
- Include Buzz Butler as one of the heroes
Learning connection: Social Studies — national identity; Language Arts — research and non-fiction writing; Art
Activity 6: Workers’ Rights Maths (Ages 7–11)
Problem 1: An oil field worker in 1937 earned $0.40 per day. He worked 26 days in a month. How much did he earn that month?
Problem 2: He paid $3.00 for rent and $5.00 for food per month. How much money did he have left over?
Problem 3: Today, T&T’s minimum wage is $20.50 per hour. A worker works 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. How much does she earn in one month?
Problem 4: How many times more does today’s worker earn compared to the 1937 worker?
Learning connection: Mathematics — multiplication, subtraction, comparison; Social Studies — economics and history
Key Takeaways
- Tubal Uriah “Buzz” Butler was born in Grenada in 1897 and moved to Trinidad to work in the oil fields
- On June 19, 1937, his arrest in Fyzabad sparked the Workers’ Uprising — one of the most important events in Caribbean history
- The 1937 uprising led directly to trade union recognition, new labour laws, and better conditions for workers
- In 1987, he was declared a National Hero of Trinidad and Tobago
- Labour Day (June 19) is observed each year in his honour
- His story teaches us that courage, justice, and solidarity can change the world
A Final Word
Buzz Butler was not a president, a prime minister, or a wealthy man. He was a worker who refused to be silent. At Homeschool Self Study, we believe that children who know Butler’s story are richer for it. His life is proof that one person with courage and conviction can change the course of history.
Remember his name. Tell his story. Honour his legacy.
Long live the spirit of Buzz Butler. ✊U0001f1f9U0001f1f9
Homeschool Self Study is dedicated to supporting homeschooling families across Trinidad and Tobago with quality resources, activities, and encouragement for primary school learners. Explore more at homeschoolselfstudy.com.
