Shearer, Hugh Lawson

▪ 2005

      Jamaican trade unionist and politician (b. May 18, 1923, Martha Brae, Jam.—d. July 5, 2004, Kingston, Jam.), served as independent Jamaica's third prime minister (1967–72) and thereafter was a trade union president. In 1941 Shearer joined the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union, Jamaica's main labour organization, and became a protégé of Sir Alexander Bustamante, founder of the Jamaica Labour Party. Shearer's political career prospered as he also rose through the ranks of the union. He became prime minister upon the death in office of Sir Donald Sangster, and under Shearer Jamaica enjoyed a period of strong economic growth and a great increase in the number of schools. In 1977 Shearer became president of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union. From 1980 to 1989 he served as Jamaica's foreign minister, and in 1994 he became the first president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions.

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