New head appointed at the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Institute

Mr. Donald Hugh Roberts assumes the post of Head of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute (HLSTUEI) on October 1, 2010.  Mr. Roberts succeeds Ms. Marva A. Phillips, who retired at the end of September 2010 after serving as Head of the Institute since 1990.

Mr. Roberts spent most of his career working within the trade union movement in Jamaica and is recognised nationally and regionally as an outstanding trade unionist who has contributed extensively to the development of the field in Jamaica. Mr. Roberts has worked comprehensively with the Union of Clerical, Administrative & Supervisory Employees (UCASE), the National Workers Union (NWU) and the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU).

In addition to his outstanding professional achievements, Mr. Roberts has extensive teaching experience on the topic of “Trade Unions and Industrial Relations”. In this regard, he is by no means a stranger to The University of the West Indies, as he has been an instructor with the HLSTUEI from 1992 to the present. Mr. Roberts has also delivered numerous presentations on trade unionism to various bodies such as: the Houses of Parliament (Jamaica); the Mona School of Business; the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica; and the Jamaica Employers’ Federation Annual Convention.

Currently, Mr. Roberts holds a Diploma in Advanced Trade Union Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with Social Science (Hon.), a Masters in Government and is presently pursuing his doctorate in Governance, with a proposed dissertation topic of: “Globalism, Employment Relations and the Rights of the Jamaican Worker: Paradigms in Conflict”.

His numerous scholarly contributions include publications on The Relevance of Trade Unions in Jamaica and Trade Unions and the Transformation to a New Caribbean Workplace: Confronting the Challenges of Globalisation.

Mr. Roberts has been the recipient of numerous awards, accreditations and memberships, including: the Order of Distinction, Commander Class 2009; the Ministry of Education and Culture’s Outstanding Parent Award; and the Kingston Technical High School Alumni Award for outstanding contribution in the field of trade unionism.