Dear Editor,

The Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) continues to mourn and express its profound sorrow, at the death of its former Island Supervisor and Senior Vice-President Dwight Nelson, who died peacefully at home on the morning of December 24, 2018.

Dwight Nelson was a visionary who saw the need for restraint to foster economic recovery after the severe impact of global financial crisis of that period, and subjected his political allegiance to the then Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to the national good by not only encouraging his fellow trade unionists to support the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding, but by playing a very constructive role in its success and setting a very significant precedent in terms of how Jamaican trade unions should participate in the economy.

He taught me most of the things I knew as a young trade unionist as well as elementary principles against which I operate. He was the consummate labour relations expert, especially in terms of collective bargaining, and was highly respected by his colleagues across the Caribbean. In fact, since his passing, we have been receiving numerous letters of condolence from Caribbean trade unionists familiar with him.

At the bargaining table, Dwight was respected by employers and would always leave onlookers transfixed and mesmerised with his articulate skills. He was an excellent negotiator and one who rose above mediocrity in the pursuit of defending workers; he was mentor and vanguard of the working class in all facets of his life.

On behalf of the Managing Executive Committee, the officers, staff and members of the BITU, we extend our heartfelt condolence to his wife, Angella, and his children and other relatives and assure them that we share their loss and their grief.

Walk good, Dwight Nelson. Gone but will not be forgotten.

Senator Kavan Gayle

President

Bustamante Industrial Trade Union

Kingston

c/o ruddy.thomas@gmail.com