Two years have passed since the death of Joseph O’Flaherty Jr., past President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, who died on Labour Day — Monday 6th May 2019 — at the age of 48. The SKNT&LU Executive Committee hereby expresses condolences to all who continue to mourn his passing.
O’Flaherty Jr. emerged as Union President in 2012 at the 73rd annual conference, succeeding Clifford Thomas. He was known for remaining union-minded even on his deathbed: shortly after being hospitalised, he raised the topic of the 2019 Labour Day plans and preparations, his deep interest in workers’ affairs remaining intact until the end.
In his last Labour Day speech in 2018, he said: “Today, we marched in solidarity of each other, as we recognise the tremendous value of our individual and collective skills, talents and expertise that contribute to the economic and social advancement of this country and of our families. It was not always this way. It took the sacrifice of men and women of the Labour Movement, including the Trades and Labour Union, to fight and struggle for the improvement in working and living conditions in this country. The rights of workers that you enjoy today did not happen overnight; the journey was long, requiring steadfast advocacy, sometimes protests, dialogue and some degree of militancy at some points.”