Elbert Redvers Blades has won the hearts of many citizens because of his longevity. Last Saturday, Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) joined with more than 100 of his family members and friends to celebrate the 109th birthday of the first general secretary of the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU). Fittingly, Minister of Labour and former president of the OWTU Errol McLeod, Senator David Abdulah and other trade union officials were present to celebrate Blades' birthday. Member of Parliament for the area and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs Jairam Seemungal was also on hand to recognise the great contribution Blades made to the labour movement.
Minister McLeod and Senator Abdulah paid glowing tribute to their labour colleague who helped save the struggle from collapse in 1937 when Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler went into hiding to avoid arrest. Elbert Blades was born on April 7, 1902. He demonstrated vision and tenacity in 1937 by coming forward to provide leadership of the working class at that crucial moment. Blades is actually the last surviving labour hero of the 1937 workers' struggle for better wages and humane working conditions Blades, who lives at Cumuto, Wallerfield, contributed significantly to the many benefits which are now enjoyed by workers.
He did his part in achieving better wages and conditions for the working class and has fond memories of working alongside Butler, Arthur Andrew Cipriani and Adrian Cola Rienzi, all of whom made significant contribution to the labour movement. His face lights up whenever he speaks about nominating Rienzi to be the first president of the OWTU. Blades was awarded the Humming Bird Silver Medal in 1998 for his contribution to the trade union movement in Trinidad and Tobago. The renowned labour hero of the 1930s is still able to make a few dance steps. He surprised the guests present on Saturday when he danced to the beat of well known songs from the '50s and '60s. Blades has six children, 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.