Labour movement mourns veteran NUGFW leader Clifton Sampson

The labour movement is mourning the passing of Clifton Sampson, First Deputy President General of the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), who died yesterday at the Scarborough General Hospital in Tobago.

A long-serving trade unionist, Sampson was widely respected for his steady leadership and his unwavering commitment to improving the working conditions of daily- and monthly-rated government employees.

Over decades in the labour struggle, he tirelessly advocated for better working conditions, social protection, and fair collective bargaining agreements. Union literature frequently highlighted his belief in “a strong labour movement as the backbone of social progress.”

Known for his calm yet firm negotiating style, Sampson was part of several major collective bargaining teams, championing job security, safer workplaces, and fair wage adjustments for public-sector workers. Colleagues remembered his particular passion for defending the rights of workers in rural communities, often drawing attention to the challenges faced by employees in Tobago and remote areas of Trinidad.

Union President Christopher Streete expressed “deep sorrow” at Sampson’s passing, calling him “a loyal comrade, a steady hand, and a champion for justice among workers.”