Hugh Lawson Shearer (centre) shares a laugh on the political platform with the Jamaica Labour Party's Edward Seaga and Percival Broderick during a JLP meeting in Half Way Tree.

Tributes to late former prime minister Hugh Shearer flooded the Observer yesterday with one common theme: Hugh Shearer was a giant of the trade union movement who not only served as a voice for Jamaica's working class, but engaged in non-adversarial politics that placed him above the partisan fray.

Prime Minister P J Patterson, who is in Grenada for the 25th Caricom Heads of Government meeting, noted that Caricom leaders paid tribute to Shearer and Sir George Charles, the first chief minister of St Lucia, whose death the region was already mourning.

"It is a reflection of the high esteem in which Mr Shearer and Sir George are held that Heads of Government paid their respect for the contribution of these two Caribbean stalwarts by observing a moment of silence in their honour," Patterson said.

Patterson noted that Shearer served Jamaica with honour and distinction as prime minister and. was widely acknowledged as the doyen of trade union leaders throughout the Caribbean. "He championed the rights of workers through the trade union movement which he led with conviction and total devotion for many years," Patterson said, adding that Shearer's passing was a tremendous personal loss.

"I will miss his friendship greatly. His death has deprived Jamaica of a quintessential nationalist and a dedicated political leader," the prime minister said.

"Mr Shearer was beloved by Jamaicans from all walks of life," Patterson said. "He will always be remembered as one who could tower above the partisan divide when the demand for unity in action was required."

Jamaica Labour Party leader Edward Seaga, in his tribute, noted that Shearer's seminal achievement as prime minister was the expansion of the secondary school system. by doubling the number of institutions with the addition of 60 new secondary schools.

"This opened the gate to secondary education for thousands of young Jamaicans whose education previously ended at the all-age school post-primary level," Seaga said.

Seaga, who is also the opposition leader, described Shearer as a lifelong advocate of workers' rights who ascended to the pinnacle of the trade union movement when, with the support of all trade unions, he was elected chairman of the Joint Trade Unions Research Centre in 1992, a position from which he retired this year.

"Hugh Shearer, despite his enormous authority and power, was a humble man who never forgot his roots and never failed to use his high office in protection of the poor and disadvantaged," Seaga said.

"A captivating personality, his raucous laughter and strong advocacy will always ring in the staterooms and boardrooms where, with consummate negotiating skills, he found solutions to the most difficult problems as he brought each argument to a close with a statement of finality," Seaga added.

Dr Peter Phillips, who is in charge of the government in Patterson's absence, said Shearer had a great career as a trade unionist and politician who was loved and appreciated by all Jamaicans.

"Beyond Jamaica's shores, Hugh Shearer was well known and respected in the world community," Phillips said. "He was a formidable foe against the apartheid regimes of South Africa and Rhodesia and at times led the Commonwealth and international bodies in the fight to remove these two countries from the councils of the world."

The Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU) said Shearer was one of the pillars of the modern trade union movement. "His contribution to the development of the working class is, by every measure, outstanding. In the five decades as negotiator par excellence, advocate and defender of the rights of the Jamaican workers, Hugh Lawson Shearer has been a tower of strength, whose uncompromising stance and principled positions have been the hallmark of his distinguished career."

The trade union movement, the JCTU said, has lost a colossal figure, a catalyst who redefined the path of trade unionism and advocated the unity of the movement.
Tourism mogul and chairman of the ATL Group, Gordon "Butch" Stewart, said Jamaica has lost one of its most talented sons.

"Whether he was cast in the role of trade unionist and working-class champion, head of government or elder statesman, Hugh Shearer was always a shining example of what is good about us," Stewart said.

Shearer's life, Stewart added, was typified by decency, integrity and an unswerving commitment to social justice.
"His record of selfless devotion to improving the lot of the downtrodden will never be forgotten."

University of the West Indies vice-chancellor, Professor Rex Nettleford, said Shearer's passing was a huge loss for Jamaica and the Caribbean.

"He brought civility to political life and to trade unionism, and in negotiations had the knack of knowing how to disagree agreeably," Nettleford said. "He was undoubtedly one of the great leaders in post-independent Caribbean public life and will be greatly missed."

The Jamaica Teachers' Association described Shearer as "the quintessential union man" and an "astute politician".
Political Ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair said Shearer was "a man of perspicacity" who left indelible marks on the political stage.

"He was a man of decency, very humorous, and he exhibited a sense of pride in his politics and love for his people that should be emulated by all who aspire to political office," Blair said.

People's National Party chairman Robert Pickersgill shared Blair's sentiments, describing Shearer as a giant of the trade union movement who was "passionately committed to the causes he championed".

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