THE BITU played a prominent role in this weekend's JLP annual conference at the National Arena.On Saturday, vice-president Pearnel Charles, was actively engaged in attempts to heal the wounds within the party, following the leadership ballot in which party leader Edward Seaga defeated former deputy leader Mike Henry.
On Sunday, BITU senior vice-president Ruddy Spencer was promoted to the position of penultimate speaker, followed by Mr. Seaga, at the public session.
Mr. Spencer said the union had given the party three leaders, including Mr. Seaga, who he said started out in public service as researcher for the union. The others were Sir Alexander Bustamante and Hugh Shearer.
He said the BITU could not support the current Government's poverty alleviation policy over the JLP's policy of creating wealth and jobs, pointing out that over the last five years some 150,000 jobs have been lost and the crime rate has soared under the current PNP's administration.
The National Arena was a sea of green - flags, buntings, balloons, shirts, dresses, caps, whistles and even tree branches - as the party staged its 57th annual conference with leaders predicting general elections before the next conference.
Mr. Seaga, who had been ill with influenza since Friday, carried with him a spray can of Evian water which he used to spritz his face at intervals during his speech. His wife, Carla, explained that the spray refreshed him in the heat of the crowd. He was also accompanied by his daughter, Annabella, but her mother, Mr. Seaga's former wife, Mitzy, who was also in attendance did not take any active part.
On arrival Mr. Seaga was greeted with Sly and Robbie's "Mission Impossible", followed by John Holt's "Stick By Me" on a sound system. But, songs like Prince Buster's "Hard Man Fi Dead" and the Grace Thrillers' "God Will Take Care Of You" punctuated his speech.
