The body of trade unionist Derek Allard was laid to rest Tuesday at the St. George's Cemetery following glowing tributes paid to him from local, regional and international labour organisations at a Service ceremony held at the Grenada Trade Center in the south of the island.

Allard, the President General of the Bank and General Workers (BGWU) and President of the Grenada Trades Union Council (TUC) died in Trinidad on August 20. He was in the twin island Republic for medical treatment and at the time of his death was preparing to return home.

Hundreds of people, including Governor General Sir Daniel Williams, Labour Minister Claris Charles, Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas along with Trades Union leaders from the region bid farewell to Allard in a ceremony that lasted over three hours.

President of the Barbados Workers Union (BWU), Hugh Arthur in paying tribute to the deceased leader, described him as unselfish, dedicated and committed to trade unionism. He called on the TUC which Allard headed until his death, to find some fitting way to perpetuate the memory of their late leader.

President of the National Trade Union Center of Trinidad and Tobago (NATUC), Robert Giuseppi in his remarks at the Service described the late TUC President as more than a trade unionist, but a struggler for people and people's power. He used the occasion to challenge the BGWU not to let the gains made by Allard over the years go in vain.

First Vice President of the TUC, and current President of the Public Workers Union (PWU) Madonna Harford noted that the life of the late Allard demonstrated how much one can achieve in a short time. She described him as a staunch fighter for workers rights as well as a champion against oppression and injustices.

Allard, according to many will be best remembered for the role he played in 2002 when government amended the Labour Relations Act of 1999 that imposed a fine and jail term for labour leaders engaged in strike action.

Although civil society has voiced their concerns about the legislation, government is yet to take action to repeal the act. Colleagues of Allard in the TUC have said that he was the one responsible for leading the movement into a multi-partie arrangement involving Government, Employers, and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to discuss major social and economic issues.

Allard started his trades unionism career at Holiday Inn in 1980 where he joined the BGWU which was led by the late Vincent Noel. He was elected to the post of Shop Steward and two years later into the Management of the Union.

The late trade unionist then took over the leadership of BGWU in 1983 following the death of Vincent Noel in the army massacre at Fort Rupert in which Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was executed.

Allard became president of the TUC in 1997 after the passing of its veteran trade unionist Eric Pierre, and held the position until his death on August 20.