COUNTRY BENEFITTED FROM WILLIAM "VUNNY" ISAACS' INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SKILLS - PM GOLDING

June 23, 2010 

COUNTRY BENEFITTED FROM WILLIAM "VUNNY" ISAACS' INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS SKILLS - PM GOLDING

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said that the country benefitted greatly from the skills that the late, The Hon William W. "Vunny" Isaacs brought to the resolution of labour disputes. The Hon William W. Isaacs was the Minister of Labour from 1975-1980.

The Prime Minister's tribute to The Hon William Isaacs was delivered by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Ken Baugh, at the Official Funeral for Mr. Isaacs in Kingston today (June 23). 

The Prime Minister's tribute read, "He carved out an outstanding reputation as an exceptional conciliator, expertly guiding management and labour to successful resolutions of disputes; he won accolades for his success in returning calm and order to the country's restless industrial front. He managed one of the most heated periods of industrial relations...Significant savings accrued to the country as a result of his expertise."

The Prime Minister also recalled that as Chairman of the Permanent Salaries Review Board, The Hon William Isaacs was instrumental in the passage of the far-reaching maternity leave and minimum wage acts. Mr. Golding said that the country, "cannot underestimate the impact which these two acts continue to have on the family and on our communities".

The Prime Minister and the Hon William Isaacs were Parliamentary colleagues from 1975-1980.