Islander honoured by top union boss

Islander honoured by top union boss

Bill Morris will present a gold medal to retiring Mick Kavanagh

A retiring Jersey union official is to receive a special award from a top national union representative.

Bill Morris, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G), will present Mick Kavanagh with a gold medal at a dinner on Saturday to mark his retirement.

Mr Kavanagh, who is the T&G's regional industrial organiser for Jersey, has served the union for 13 years as a full-time officer.

He has also spent many more years as an active member of the T&G.

The T&G has 5,000 members in Jersey and is the biggest trade union on the island, covering all sectors of the economy.

'Tenacious fighter'

Mr Morris said: "I've been privileged to know Mick Kavanagh as a friend and colleague. He's a tenacious fighter for Jersey.

"Mick has had a tremendous impact on the social and economic life of the island.

"He has carried the T&G through difficult periods and has always kept a firm base with the membership."

Mr Morris said the T&G would be sad to lose Mr Kavanagh as an organiser.

Good shape

But he added: "However, it is good news that, in retirement, Mick intends to continue to speak up for workers as he has always done.

"He leaves the T&G in good shape and in the capable hands of his successor, Nick Corbel.

"My executive officers join me in wishing Mick and his family a happy retirement."

The dinner will also be attended by other T&G members and activists, members of the local community, and industry and senior politicians, including Jersey Senator Frank Walker.