St Kitts-Nevis: Late Joseph O’Flaherty remembered by members of federal parliament

Several parliamentary representatives from St. Kitts and Nevis paid tribute to the late Joseph O’Flaherty, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Trades and Labour Union, during the sitting of the Federal Parliament on Thursday.

Senior Minister and Minister of Labour and Social Security, the Honourable Vance Amory, during the adjournment of Parliament conveyed sympathy on behalf of the government, the Ministry and Department of Labour and its staff members.

“I would like to express our deep condolences to his family and his colleagues. “Permit me also to indicate that Mr. O’Flaherty, whom I had known for some time… was a very quiet and amiable person but it did not mean that he was not firm in his resolve and matters dealing with the workers’ rights and representing the workers, members of the union and generally workers’ rights across the board,” said the Minister of Labour.

Senior Minister Amory expressed “satisfaction with Mr. O’Flaherty and his colleagues, together with representatives of the employers, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in the National Tripartite Committee to make certain that we did what was right in accordance with the law which governs labour in St. Kitts and Nevis”.

Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, shared similar sentiments and expressed sadness over the late president’s passing whom he shared a good friendship with.

“He had shown an interest in trade unionism which was somewhat new for young persons at that particular moment in time,” said Prime Minister Harris, noting that Joseph O’Flaherty inherited much of his father’s (Fidel O’Flaherty) traits, characteristics and passion. “I would mourn his sad passing. I want to extend to the family, his friends and those in the executive leadership of the Trades and Labour Union the profound sadness and condolences of us on the government side at the passing of a young man who had chosen an important career in terms of leadership of an important organization.”

The Honourable Ian Patches Liburd also extended profound sympathy to his family and friends, adding, “I do so as a former member myself of the clerical section of that union for many years.”

Condolences were also extended by Members of the Opposition including the Honourable Senator Nigel Carty and the Honourable Konris Maynard.

“He has always been an advocate for workers’ rights and protection of workers and services for workers, and his contribution to this effort will be well missed,” said the Honourable Konris Maynard.

Senator Carty described Mr. O’Flaherty as “one of those persons who was involved in serving people.” He added that the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union “has suffered a great loss as a result of his passing but noted that “the work he has sought to do will hopefully be picked up by some willing soul albeit his shoes will be very hard to fill.”

Mr. Joseph O’Flaherty, who became the President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union in October 2012 passed away on Monday, May 06, 2019