Corrections and Clarifications

DaCosta had no lawsuit with WINDALCO

In today's lead story, 'DaCosta found dead', The Gleaner reported that Norman DaCosta, the trade unionist who reportedly committed suicide, was facing a lawsuit related to his alleged 'exposure' of a firearm during a meeting at WINDALCO earlier this year. However, The Gleaner has been informed that this information is incorrect. We are satisfied that the suit against Mr. DaCosta was not filed by WINDALCO and has nothing to do with the meeting earlier this year. We unreservedly apologise to WINDALCO for any embarrassment caused by our report.

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Dionne Rose and Angelo Laurence, Gleaner Writers

Norman DaCosta - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

The trade union movement reacted with shock and sadness yesterday to news that veteran trade unionist Norman DaCosta is dead. The 59-year-old is believed to have committed suicide at his home in Cocoa Walk, near Cross Keys in Manchester.

Close friend and colleague, Danny Roberts said that, up to 1:40 yesterday afternoon, he spoke with Mr. DaCosta on the phone as he made arrangements to meet with him in Mandeville.

"I didn't detect in his voice that anything was wrong," Mr. Roberts told The Gleaner.

He however noted that he was aware that Mr. DaCosta was experiencing some challenges in his life, including a minor motor vehicle accident from which he was recovering, while also facing a lawsuit related to his alleged "exposure" of a firearm during a meeting at Windalco earlier this year.

According to reports reaching The Gleaner, Mr. DaCosta was sitting on the verandah of his home, when his wife and two sons left him. He was inside when they returned and, when they asked him to open the door to let them in, he left the area shortly before they heard an explosion.

A pool of blood

One of the family members went to the back of the house where he saw blood coming from under the door. The police were then summoned and Mr. DaCosta's body was found in a pool of blood with his firearm clutched in his hand.

The police told The Gleaner that they had recovered a revolver, five live rounds and one spent shell. The body was removed for an autopsy and the police are conducting further investigations.

The lawsuit was filed against DaCosta by a member of the Windalco management team who had accused him of exposing his licensed firearm and barring members of the company's negotiating team from leaving a meeting during wage negotiations.

Mr. DaCosta also faced defeat at the National Worker's Union NWU) presidential and vice- presidential race in late September where he lost his vice presidential seat.

"The challenges were an accumulation of things but I never thought it would have reached breaking point," said Mr. Roberts.

NWU President Vincent Morrison said Mr. DaCosta's untimely death was a shock to the union.

"We had a pleasant chat (yesterday) and I didn't pick up any clue at all that there was any problem," he said. "We wish to express our profound condolences to the family."

Mr. Morrison said Mr. DaCosta was an excellent worker. "I think Norman's legacy will be the contribution he made to the bauxite and aluminium workers over the 25 years."

Senator Dwight Nelson, President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions (JCTU), said Mr. DaCosta's death has left a void in the trade union movement.

"He was a strident unapologetic fighter for the worker's cause. I know that there are many who might disagree at times with his approach but nobody could question his commitment, his dedication and his loyalty," Nelson said.

Paris Lyew-Ayee, executive director of the Jamaica Bauxite Institute said Mr. DaCosta's passion for his work in the bauxite sector will be greatly missed.

"He was very knowledgeable of the industry, extremely passionate about it, especially the rights for the workers to be involved," he said.

The Jamaica Teachers' Association hailed Mr. DaCosta as an undisputed champion trade unionist and a champion of workers' rights.

Meanwhile Lambert Brown, president of the University and Allied Workers Union, said that, among the legacy to his activism on behalf of bauxite workers, was the tax-free productivity incentive scheme, a limited indexation of wages to devaluation and a significant salary increase and fringe benefits to bauxite workers.

Norman DaCosta had been with the Trade Union movement for more than 25 years. He has held various positions in the NWU including union delegate at Alcan Kirkvine in Manchester, before he was appointed a full time officer of the NWU.