“Titan” in trade union movement dies

Veteran trade unionist Erskine LeVere Richards died on Tuesday at the age of 82.

And the Barbados Workers Union (BWU) which he served for almost 45 years with distinction said he will be remembered as “a titan in the trade union movement, strong on principle and a fierce defender of workers’ rights”.   

Richards, a former government worker, held several positions at the BWU, including Island Supervisor/Public Relations Officer, Regional Assistant, Assistant General Secretary, and Assistant Director of Organising. He was well known for his representation of hotel and tourism employees.

“He quickly made an impressive mark in the sugar and hotel industries and in the various estates where the Barbados implementation of the Sir Arthur Lewis Programme for the Caribbean – Industrialisation by Invitation led to the recruitment of large numbers of workers. He was best known for his contribution in lifting the standards of training for workers in the hotel industry and the wider tourism sector, the highlight of which came through his spearheading of the annual Hotel Workers’ Week,” the union said in a statement.

The BWU further noted that Richards was among union officials who worked tirelessly in building a new platform for labour to succeed sugar which was slowly giving way to construction, tourism, and light industries.

Former BWU General Secretary Sir Roy Trotman said Richards gave a lifetime to tourism. 

“He first served as a part of the Tourism Board, and especially as a member of the Board’s promotional team starting as far back as 1975. In 1990, he added to this work his service as a member of the St Joseph Hospital, appointed by Government to work on a rehabilitation programme for that St Peter institution which was located only a few hundred yards from his birthplace,” Sir Roy recalled.

Minister of Labour and Social Relations Colin Jordan described Richards as a fearless fighter for the rights of workers across the spectrum, but particularly in the tourism sector.

“He fought to ensure their rights. He fought to ensure they were not treated unfairly. He fought constantly to raise their wages. He was seen as a real champion of the workers in the tourism industry,” Jordan said in his tribute.

The St Peter MP said Richards’ legacy would be honoured through continuing efforts to ensure that workers in Barbados are treated fairly and that they are able, over time, to raise their standard of living.