KINGSTON, Jamaica — Vice-President of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) Alvin Sinclair, who died recently, will be buried on Saturday.

The BITU said in a release yesterday that Sinclair will be buried at Dovecot, following a funeral service at the St George’s Church, East Street, downtown Kingston, which starts at 1:00 pm.

Sinclair, 67, was the union’s representative on the Kingston waterfront, the once volatile maritime working environment, which gave birth to the BITU and the legend of Alexander Bustamante, who eventually founded both the union and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP).

In a release on his death, newly appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security, Shahine Robinson, said she regretted his passing.

She said that Sinclair was “a hard-working labour leader and industry stalwart”, was a strong advocate for the rights of workers and worked closely with the ministry in maintaining stability in the industrial arena.

She added that he worked “assiduously” with the Shipping Association of Jamaica to implement the Joint Industrial Council (JIC) as a model of industrial relations. The JIC provided stability and allowed for long-term planning for growth and expansion in the shipping industry, she added.

“An affable individual, he was highly regarded and respected by his peers. The Ministry acknowledges Mr Sinclair’s contribution to the labour movement in Jamaica, and expresses sincere condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace,” Robinson said.

Balford Henry