Born on 21 October, 1939 in Bull Savannah, south east St Elizabeth, Derrick Astin Rochester who died on April 9, 2016 was a highly successful trade union leader and among Jamaica’s most celebrated political representatives at the constituency level.

His work in the trade union movement started in 1962 as a youthful worker delegate at Kaiser Bauxite Company. By 1967 he had advanced to being a union officer for the National Workers Union rapidly building a reputation as a skilled negotiator particularly in the bauxite/alumina industry.

Rochester was credited for securing an initial 100 per cent increase for workers in the bauxite industry, followed by an 80 per cent increase. Such was his contribution he became president and island supervisor of the NWU, between 1987 and 1993.

Rochester’s political career representing the People’s National Party (PNP) largely paralleled his trade unionism. He was councillor for the Junction Division from 1968 to 1972. He then served for five terms as Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Eastern between 1972 and 1980 and again between 1989 and 2002 when he retired from representational politics. Between 1976 and 1980, he was parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Labour.

In 1980 the PNP was swept from power by the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) with Rochester among those losing his seat in the massive defeat. For a three year period, Rochester served as Senator and shadow spokesman for Labour before concentrating on trade unionism after the PNP declined to contest the 1983 snap election.

Come 1989, the PNP returned to power by a landslide with Rochester returning as MP for St Elizabeth South Eastern. He declined the offer of a Cabinet post in order to concentrate on his duties as trade union leader and MP. However between 1993 and 2002, he accepted responsibility as Minister of State with responsibility for Mining.

As MP for St Elizabeth South Eastern, Rochester drew the admiration of political friends and foes for his work in the infrastructural development of the constituency. Recognising the need to fill the demand for skilled crafts and tradesmen at the Alpart alumina plant at nearby Nain, Rochester established a trade training centre in Junction which now bears his name. And as Junction rapidly grew there came the need for a medical centre. Rochester donated land and led the drive to raise funds to make it happen.

Major road upgrading, 12 community centres, six libraries, four post offices, electrification of most of south east St Elizabeth, the building of 1000 rain-water catchment tanks for the dought-stricken constituency were among major advancements credited to Rochester’s representation.

“No single person has ever done more in the transformation of south east St Elizabeth than Derrick Rochester,” said former prime minister PJ Patterson in a tribute.

Rochester, whose widow Beryl is Custos of St Elizabeth, received national awards including the Order of Jamaica for his role in nation building.