The BITU’s Franklyn McDonald is dead
FRANKLYN McDonald, assistant island supervisor of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), is dead.
McDonald, 71, died last weekend after a long illness. He has served the union for more than 24 years, especially in the troublesome building and construction industry.
During his tenure, he also represented workers at Consolidated Bakeries, JohnsonDiversey Jamaica Limited, the HEART Trust, Dovecot, Meadowrest Memorial Park, Kingston Ice, Musson, Maxfield Park Children’s Home, the National Irrigation Commission, Tyre Sales and the Coffee Industry Board.
McDonald joined the BITU in July, 1981 after serving as a delegate at Revere, St Elizabeth. He was awarded the Order of Distinction (officer class) in 2003 for his service to the trade union movement.
BITU president Ruddy Spencer hailed McDonald for his commitment to the cause of the workers and the well being of those he represented. He said that he would be hard to replace.
At the same time, BITU general secretary George Fyffe said that McDonald was a hard worker, a meticulous trade unionist and a defender of the poor.
