'She was a member's member, always speaking truth to power.' - James Clancy
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| Muriel Ethier (Voices, 1989 (Photo by Frank Rooney) |
Ottawa (6 Jan. 2006) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins members and activists in mourning the sudden death of Muriel Ethier, a longtime activist and staff representative for union members in the Sudbury area.
Muriel, 58, died Friday, Dec. 30 in Sudbury Regional Hospital after an apparent heart attack.
She was a member of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE), specializing in health and safety issues.
A former president of OPSEU Local 628, Muriel was persistent in having the OHIP building in Sudbury declared a “sick building” in the 1980s after more than half of the 600 staff members suffered allergic reactions and related health problems.
"Muriel was confident and tireless, always speaking her mind regardless of who you were or what you represented," said National Union president James Clancy.
"She was a member's member, always speaking truth to power. She will be greatly missed by all her friends and colleagues in the National Union."
Muriel joined the OPSEU staff in 1990 as a Job Security Officer at OPSEU head office in Toronto. In 1997, she became a bilingual staff representative working in first the Timmins and then the Sudbury regional office.
OPSEU president Leah Casselman described Muriel's dedication as an inspiration to others.
“Throughout her career as both an activist and staff member, Muriel worked tirelessly for the rights OPSEU members. She will be sorely missed,” Casselman said.
Muriel leaves her husband, Armand, five sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial visitation was held Jan. 5 at the Lougheed Funeral Home in Sudbury. A memorial mass was celebrated Jan. 6 at St. Mathieu’s Roman Catholic Church, MacFarlane Lake. The family requests that donations in her memory be directed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. NUPGE
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