Prime Minister Hails Lloyd Goodleigh As Exemplary Advocate

The late trade union leader, Lloyd Goodleigh, has been hailed as an exemplary advocate for the cause of workers, by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.

Delivering a tribute on behalf of the Government at the funeral service of Mr. Goodleigh, held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in Kingston, on January 9, the Prime Minister  said the trade unionist assisted her to reach several accords for the interest of workers, while she was Minister of Labour.

“Jamaica has lost a brilliant nation builder, and passionate advocate for workers’ rights,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said, adding that the country is assured that he left his homeland and the world a “better place than he found it.”

“His advocacy of the rights of workers was not born out of narrow self-interest. His work to advance workers through the National Workers’ Union, and all other professional avenues, was grounded in a clear understanding of the realities of the society, the economy and the global marketplace,” the Prime Minister said.

She pointed out that Mr. Goodleigh, a former President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), and General Secretary of the National Workers’ Union (NWU), and a Senator, made sterling contributions for workers in regional and international fora.

“He constantly articulated a vision that elevated education, training and improved worker productivity are central pillars of national development,” she said, noting that part of his last contribution to his country was to coordinate the work of the Labour Market Reform Secretariat.

For his part, Former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, told the large gathering, including Cabinet members, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of Finance  and Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of Labour, as well as former Prime Minister, Hon. Bruce Golding, that Mr. Goodleigh had “written a glorious page in our history.”

“At heart, and by natural disposition, this trade union leader was also a philosopher and inspiring teacher; a passionate nationalist, and fervent believer in the cause of social equity,” Mr. Patterson said.

The former Prime Minister  also credited the trade unionist for understanding the need to chart a new and less confrontational approach to trade union representation.

“He realized the imperative of changing the traditional equation of conflict between workers and management to one of harmony and justice between employers and workers in the building of our nation,” Mr. Patterson said.

Tributes were also paid by family members; and representatives of the trade union movement and Mr. Goodleigh’s alma mater, Calabar High School.