Dear Pastor,

My father was a port worker and was represented by the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union. That was from the time he was 14. He died at the age of 45. My father died leaving behind three children. The eldest was Sylvia who at the age of 15 was taken to England after our father passed. The second child was Leoanora who resides in the United States. My brother still resides in St Thomas.

I am writing you this letter in order to see if you could help me to get the money that was left for us by the shipping company that was taking out of his wages and was put aside for the family. However he and my mother were not married. Her name was on the list as the mother of his children but she also passed away.

Leoanora who was the second girl visited the company when she was leaving Jamaica at age 16. She was told that she was too young and that she had to be 21. They also told her that although she had presented her birth certificate they were not sure that the name on it was really her mom.

After some time had passed in August 1981 I decided to go back to Jamaica. I went back to the head office on Duke Street and I was told to go to Port Royal Street at another office. When I got there I was told that the money is in the Bank of Nova Scotia and I should come back to speak with a gentleman to find out what steps I should take.

I keep going back but he was never available. Pastor I had to go back home so from that time until now I have been seeking help but has not been successful. I have talked to some attorneys-at-law but the fees were too high. I am now 72 and I really want what was left for us. My bother really needs it. Please Pastor I really need your help.

S.M

Dear S.M,

I believe that you have taken too long to deal with this matter. So often we hear folks say that attorneys-at-law are charging them too much. What do they take to determine that the fees are exorbitant? I suppose if one considers that a lawyer is charging too much he should seek one who in his opinion is reasonable.

I know you might not agree with me but I am pretty well tired of hearing people complain about lawyer fees when they are in no position to say what the fees ought to be. What they should do instead is the work with the attorneys and to agree on a payment plan, especially if they have good reasons to believe that that there are benefits to be gained when the matter is settled.

You have written about a very complicated matter. I am not even sure if you understand what your father is alleged to have done. However, I suggest that you go to the office of the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union and try to explain to them what you know, and ask them to look into the matter for you. It is a long shot, so to speak. But I believe that they will tell you whether the money is available somewhere for you.

Pastor