GRENADA May 1, 2008 - Employees throughout the tri-island state of Grenada are expected to take to the streets of St. George today en masse to participate in the annual May Day (Labour Day) march, rally and celebrations. Workers are expected to turn out wearing the colors of their unions and marching under their respective banners. In the past, they have been known to brandish placards, wave flags and chant slogans, many of them directed against their employers or the government of the day; no change in tone is anticipated this year. The May Day celebrations for 2008 comes at a time when many workers in the country (as is the case in most other Caribbean countries and nations around the world) are trying to come to terms with the high cost of living and the negative socio-economic spill offs. The cost of many basic foodstuffs has increased significantly in recent times – especially milk and flour – and the price of gas has been going up. This has caused a sort of contraction in the economy and many persons - especially the unemployed and working class families - are undoubtedly feeling the pinch. The Grenada Government has been trying to put mechanisms in place so as to ease the pressure that is felt by the population. The country is presently in ‘election mode’ and it will be interesting to see how trade union leaders and persons with political affiliations will make the case to their constituents for improvement in their present conditions and the way forward for workers in Grenada.