Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has described the late trade union leader Lloyd Goodleigh as an exemplary advocate for the cause of workers.

Delivering a tribute on behalf of the Government at the funeral service for Goodleigh’s life at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston, on Saturday, the Prime Minister said the trade unionist assisted her to broker several agreements in the interest of workers while she was Minister of Labour.

“Jamaica has lost a brilliant nation-builder and passionate advocate for workers’ rights,” Simpson Miller said, adding that the country can be 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 borne 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 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 as 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 PJ Patterson told the large congregation, which included former Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Cabinet members Dr Peter Phillips — minister of finance, and Dr Fenton Ferguson — minister of labour, that 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,” 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 realised 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,” Patterson continued.

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

— JIS