Former IER Director Carolyn Jones’ contribution honoured at the TUC

Carolyn (or Cad) Jones‘ contribution to the Institute of Employment Rights and the wider labour movement was recognised at TUC Congress, with a special event to mark her retirement in November last year.

Scores of labour movement stalwarts, colleagues and friends joined Cad at an evening social at the Old Ship Hotel on Tuesday, to mark her retirement as IER Director after 32 years. This was a special occasion, when those who have worked with Cad over that period came to celebrate her contribution and share memories.

After speeches by IER Chair John Hendy KC, IER President Professor Keith Ewing and the IER’s Treasurer Geoff Shears, which paid tribute to Cad’s incredible skills in building the IER from nothing in 1989, to the vitally important labour movement organisation it is now, the former Director was presented with a Miner’s Lamp in recognition of her immense contribution.

The social also featured a live band, MIB, with dancing til’ late.

Carolyn and her family were aware of the value of trade unions and access to justice, as her father Bill Jones was an illegally blacklisted construction worker. Carolyn worked hard in community campaigns and the trade union movement, and was eventually head hunted to be the Director of the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) by Ken Gill, General Secretary of TASS.

On Wednesday, the staff at the IER, including James Harrison, Deputy Director and Cad’s succesor, current IER Director Ben Sellers, also marked the occasion by presenting her with an award for her distinguished service to the labour movement.

Tuesday’s social was put together by the IER and the GFTU, and was kindly sponsored by Morrish Solicitors and Old Square Chambers.