News Briefs

Danny Roberts new deputy chair of IDT

Labour law and trade unionism expert Danny Roberts is heading to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT) as its deputy chairman.

A highly placed government source confirmed Roberts' appointment to the IDT, a quasi-judicial organisation that arbitrates labour disputes

The tribunal addresses matters involving both unionised and non-unionised workers.

“Danny is somebody who has a tremendous amount of experience. He is well respected and he comes to the position with a wealth of knowledge and integrity, and we believe that was the right person for the job,” the source told The Gleaner on Sunday.

Roberts is the head of the Hugh Lawson Shearer Trade Union Education Institute at the UWI Open Campus, Mona Campus.

He has served as a part-time lecturer at The UWI and serves as director of the National Integrity Action.

Ex-police chief Roy Thompson passes

Former Police Commissioner and Portland Custos Roy Thompson died peacefully at his St Andrew home on Saturday.

He was 88.

Thompson served as police commissioner from 1991 to 1993 before retiring, capping a career that spanned 41 years.

He was custos of Portland from 2000 to 2013.

Alston Hunter, former mayor of Port Antonio, said Thompson had a passion for education and mentorship.

“He was a genius at what he did and he was also a no-nonsense individual who strived for excellence," he said.

"He was the kind of person who got things done, even when it seemed somewhat impossible."

Thompson cultivated several hectares of coconut and lumber trees, operated a pig farm, and was involved in the 4-H movement.

Nurse, midwife with COVID die

Two healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 died on Thursday and Friday.

Registered midwife at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon, Kereen Roache Merchant, succumbed to COVID-19 complications.

Nurses' Association of Jamaica President Patsy Edwards-Henry said that Roache Merchant had been admitted to the intensive care unit at the University Hospital of the West Indies for an extended period.

Dominque Stevens, a registered nurse at Kingston Public Hospital, passed away on Friday.

Stevens, who worked in the accident and emergency department, was on sick leave convalescing. It is understood that she suffered from asthma and hyperthyroidism.

The 31-year-old was carried to the A&E when she was discovered to be unresponsive at home.

Despite attempts to resuscitate her, Stevens passed away shortly after 10 p.m.

Stevens' passing was the second in a week at KPH. Staff were already mourning the death of operating room technician, Rachael Edwards.

Edwards was hospitalised and on a ventilator for one week prior due to contracting COVID-19.

She passed away two Saturdays ago.