March 16, 2011Dear Sir,I was sorry to hear the passing of the late Dr Barbara Ball, JP MP and a real union stalwart. My whole heart condolences goes out to the entire family, for here was a woman who had a lot of fight in whatever she was striving for, full of guts, more so for the labour workers of this country, during her time in office at the BIU.Dr Ball was a gigantic woman in mind which we all know. I remember the great part she played during the 1965 reprising at BELCO. She always stood firm because she was for fairness for all Bermudians whether black or white, although the so called higher whites did not have to much to do for her only because of the position she held at the BIU and supporter of the PLP. I do not think up to this day, that any white person would have taken the stand she took during her reign with the BIU. To sum it all up, Dr Ball was prodigious woman. The Lord said I will make: “A woman of substance; A woman of pride; A woman of honesty; A woman who is able to put petty things aside; A woman of integrity; A woman of love; A woman who is worthy of treasures from above; A woman who is genuine; A leader in every way.”God said “I'll make a woman, I'll call her AKA”. Dr Barbara Ball possessed all of the above.Rest in peace. God Bless.GEORGE BREMARSandysMeasuring up to Dr BallMarch, 22, 2011Dear Sir,I have read the obituary of the late Dr Barbara Bertha Ball, MRCS, LRCP, OBE, JP and I have concluded that there are some females in this world who are born with balls, if you will excuse the expression. Dr Ball demonstrated true leadership qualities and showed no fear when she courageously took a stand for what she believed to be right. She, no doubt, followed her own mind, even when it meant going against the status quo and being ostracised as a result, not forgetting the threats on her life.When she linked up with the Bermuda Industrial Union and proceeded to stand for what was right, I was just at the infancy stage of learning right from wrong myself. It is fascinating reading about Dr Ball's past and seeing that this “Lady of Labour” had more balls than many other leaders.What is destroying this world today is the love of money. The good people like Dr Ball are dying off and we are seeing more people who are far too materialistic or money hungry, leaders especially.Dr Ball's humble abode on First Avenue, Devonshire certainly didn't give me the impression that she was materialistic in any way. Money was not her main focal point either, especially if she worked as a full-time General Secretary of the BIU and for the first two years, she received no Union money in remuneration. How many more people who have served in similar positions have done that?It would be interesting to know exactly what the current salaries for the General Secretary and President's positions of the trade unions are today. I would imagine that they are in the six figure range. I am certain that when many of the former or current trade unionists, who occupied or are occupying similar positions, compare their performance with that of Dr Ball, they would hang their heads in shame (especially the ones who don't measure up to her). In my view, they should see clearly where they've gone wrong and shouldn't wonder why they are now in vulnerable positions of feeling as though employers are attempting to bust the unions.Thinking back, the so-called trade union I was a member of was established in 1952 as an ‘association' and was advocated by Senior Civil Servants (i.e. management), who were disgruntled with their terms and conditions of employment and they galvanized to seek improvements. It was never the intention of this Civil Service Association (CSA) to even become a trade union. The first office and place of business of the CSA was at the residence of the first President, Bro. Ralph L. Gauntlett, Sr., at “Rosebank”, Paget East. Even though this association has seen a few name changes since it was established, a rose by any other name is still a rose. Supporting evidence that this association still has the interests of management at heart, can be found in the existing agreement between The Bermuda Government and The Bermuda Public Services Union in ARTICLE 4: MANAGEMENT RIGHTS. This is not what I would consider a workers' union.Dr Barbara Ball, on the other hand, truly represented the underdogs. May the other union leaders take a page from her book and may she REST IN PEACE!JENNIFER CAINESDevonshire