THE Private Sector Commission has extended condolences to the family of veteran trade unionist Kenneth Joseph who passed away last Thursday.Joseph was a member of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana at the time of his passing.

“The Private Sector Commission has collaborated with Mr Joseph on a number of issues over the years and has been impressed by his insightful contributions to our dialogue. It was a pleasure to work with Mr Joseph and we are deeply saddened at his passing,” the commission said in a statement.

He died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), after suffering a stroke attack. Joseph was born on June 25, 1951, at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, to Una and Cyril Joseph.

He was married to Waveney Joseph and was the father of six children and 17 grandchildren.

Joseph worked at Linden Bauxite Industry and when that Industry was closed he was employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation at the Albion Estate in the Field Workshop and became a member of NAACIE.

With the urge to represent workers and his leadership qualities, he became a representative of NAACIE and was elected general president of the union.

On July 1, 2002, Joseph was seconded to the union’s head office as the general president. He served in this position until he was appointed as general secretary on June 1, 2006.

He was also general secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Union of Guyana (FITUG) and was recognised and awarded the Arrow of Achievement medal by the Government of Guyana.

Joseph dedicated most of his life fighting for workers’ rights, strength and unity.