Facts & Achievements
A History of Performance - The J.L.P. in Government
Fed up with years of oppression, the waterfront workers of Kingston go on strike and send for Alexander Bustamante, He takes charge.
- Bustamante leads workers march through Kingston.
- Bustamante is arrested while addressing the workers; baring his chest he say's “shoot me but leave my people alone.” St. William Grant and other organizers are also arrested.
- Waterfront workers refuse wage offer and declare they will accept nothing until Bustamante is released.
- Bustamante and St. William Grant are released Workers accept new wage agreement.
- May 24, 1938 Bustamante announces formation of the Bustamante Industrial Trades Union (BITU) heralding the most important advance of the Jamaican masses.
1938 - The Labour Leader, Sir Alexander Bustamante, poses with officials including St. William Grant (2nd from left) L.W. Rose (3rd from left) Ross Livingston (centre) Rev. & Mrs. Cowell-Lloyd. In the background are members of the BITU staff.
- May 24th, 1938 - Bustamante makes final address before he heads the historic protest march.
- Workers protest as they march down Tower Street.
- Bustamante, the union leader is detained under war-time Regulations and agrees to have the PNP leadership to manage the B.I.T.U. in his absence.
- Upon his release Bustamante learns of a plot to undermine him. He dismisses the PNP team as managers of the BITU and announces that he will not confine his future efforts to trade unionism.
8 July, 1943—Alexander Bustamante launches Jamaica Labour Party at the Ward Theatre and is acclaimed as its first Leader. Harold Allan, a teacher from Portland, is elected the chairman and Lynden Newland, a journalist from St. Thomas, is elected secretary.
First JLP Government, 1944-1955
14 December 1944 JLP wins first elections under Universal Adult Suffrage; the JLP wins 22 seats the PNP wins 4 seats.
Bustamante leads first local team in the Executive Council:
- Starts fixing gullies to control floods which caused hundreds of deaths in poorer communities each year. The PNP criticized the programme calling the JLP “gully government.” even though it was for the benefit of the poor.
- Rebuilds hundreds of elementary schools to allow teaching to take place indoors; Starts equal pay for women in public service.
- Allows postmistresses to get married without having to resign their position.
- Appoints first Jamaican police officer.
- Creates revenue surplus in Budget every year.
- First Jamaican nursing sister appointed.
1944 - Bustamante with Members of Jamaica’s First House of Representatives
- Women gain significant status. Iris Collins , in 1944, is elected in NW St. James and becomes the first elected female member of the House of Representatives.
- 1948— Sir Harold Allan, JLP MHR (Member of the House of Representatives) for East Portland, first black Jamaican to be knighted. His achievements included:
- His outstanding performance international conferences such as the Geneva and London conferences.
- Founding of the Association of Local Government Authorities (ALGA).
- Initiated labour intensive projects to ease unemployment in several parishes.
Chief Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante with the Party’s nominees to the Executive Council
Britain declares the Jamaican experience in Universal Adult Suffrage a success and extends similar status to Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean islands.
University College of the West Indies was established and the University College Hospital of the West Indies (UCHI) came into existence.
First political martyr: Benjamin Taylor, JLP supporter killed at political meeting during Gordon Town by-election. PNP officials charged.
Madam Rose Leon, JLP MHR West St. Andrew, elected Chairman of the JLP first woman chairman of a political party in Caribbean.
The first serious programme to asphalt rural roads undertaken.
The Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation (JIDC) and the Agricultural Development Corporation
