Trade union giant honoured with new Customs House at Bridgetown Port

Veteran trade unionist and former parliamentarian Sir Roy Trotman has been praised for his contribution to the Barbados Port and, by extension, the development of labour in Barbados and worldwide as the new Customs House bearing his name opened on Friday.

During a dedication ceremony of the Leroy Trotman Building-Customs House, Prime Minister Mia Mottley celebrated him as an influential figure in the country’s labour and political landscape, highlighting their role as a “dignified bridge” in various capacities.

“You are a bridge,” she declared, “because in all that you have done, you have had to reach out as a dignified bridge, whether as a member of the movement or a negotiator, as a founding member, and indeed the only surviving founding member of the Barbados Social Partnership.”

She praised Sir Roy’s contributions, noting their role in bridging gaps between constituents, the labour movement, and the people of Barbados, even amidst differences.

Mottley emphasised the importance of his unyielding and enduring principles.

“To do so successfully, I believe that you recognised that the fundamental values that keep us honest and accountable had to be immutable,” she stated. Reflecting on the past, she recalled, “When I say that principles only matter when it is inconvenient to stand by them. I think of a few things, but one of them was your stance 30 years ago, 33 years ago when I first came into public life.”

With a career spanning 35 years, the PM observed: “As a neophyte, I stood and observed very carefully that entire period of time when difficult discussions and difficult decisions were required of us.” She acknowledged that the challenges faced during that era were pivotal in shaping the nation’s development.

On the impact of his leadership as the Barbados Workers’ Union’s second general secretary, Mottley recalled: “There are some who say that growing pains are called growing pains because you only grow when you have pain, and in truth and in fact, out of the pains of that movement, you arose to become a giant.” She attributed much of the country’s progress to the exemplary leadership provided by Sir Roy and his predecessors.

The prime minister reminisced about Sir Roy’s predecessor, Sir Frank Walcott’s deep influence on the country’s development.

“He told me then that this country . . . owes a serious debt of gratitude to Sir Frank Walcott,” she said. Mottley also highlighted Sir Frank’s leadership at a time when similar global institutions did not reflect the same maturity, emphasising that his focus was always on the country’s democracy and stability while ensuring workers’ rights.

Acknowledging the role of the Barbados Workers’ Union in securing the future of the Bridgetown Port, she noted: “The Bridgetown Port was able to reach accommodation and agreement with a mature institution representing the workers, which has allowed it therefore to develop as it has developed into being a premier port in the Caribbean.”

Mottley commended Sir Roy’s achievements on a global scale, noting his significant roles in international trade union organisations.

“Sir Roy, you were the first black man ever to become president of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, now the ITUC, or the International Trade Union Congress as it is known,” she said. She also highlighted his distinguished service at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), culminating in the position of chairperson of the workers group.

Reflecting on the broader implications of his legacy, she said: “There are almost 8 billion people on the planet Earth, and a country with less than 300 000 people has risen to lead with distinction as a result of the efforts, the values, the discipline, the resilience, the creativity, and of course the absolute articulate capacity that has been associated with you.”

Urging Barbadians to remain vigilant and appreciative of their democratic institutions, she said: “I hope that at a time when democracy is being threatened globally . . . we do not take for granted what we have.” She highlighted the importance of maintaining foundational values amid global challenges, including climate change and technological advancements.

Sir Roy described the Barbados Port as a “crucible for democracy” emphasising its role in fostering constructive interaction among government, employers, and workers. He recounted past struggles at the port, including an episode where his confrontation with a former Prime Minister nearly led to his arrest.

“We’ve had bitter struggles at the port, prime minister,” Sir Roy reflected. “There was a time when my good friend and your former prime minister almost had the police arrest me. I joked that it would have been nice to add a bit of jail time to my CV, but it shows the depth of our conflicts and progress.”

He praised the port’s unique systems and its approach to worker management and discipline.

“We were able to introduce a system where workers and management reviewed and addressed issues together,” Sir Roy explained. “This system ensured that when workers did wrong, they were judged by their peers, creating a more equitable and less adversarial environment.”

A central theme of Sir Roy’s speech was the concept of reasonableness. He stressed that achieving positive outcomes requires a willingness to engage in reasonable dialogue and cooperation.

“We’ve shown that reasonable people can find reasonable solutions,” Sir Roy asserted. “It’s crucial that we do not impose solutions unilaterally but rather seek to consult and collaborate. This approach has been central to transforming the port from an industrial war zone to a model of industrial democracy.”

He further elaborated on the importance of this principle in addressing workplace issues.

“When we moved towards labour rationalisation and laid off a significant portion of the workforce, there was no stoppage or anger because we engaged in thorough discussions,” Sir Roy noted. “We demonstrated that through consultation and reasonableness, difficult challenges could be navigated without conflict.”

Sir Roy expressed heartfelt thanks to his family, colleagues, and supporters.

“I am deeply grateful to my immediate family, trade union colleagues, and all who have supported me throughout my career,” he said. “Thank you, thank you.”