NUPGE family mourns the death of activist Patsy Gallagher

'We were all privileged to witness the passion, resolve, grace and courage of this remarkable woman." - James Clancy

Ottawa (21 June 2006) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is mourning the death of Patricia Gallagher, who passed away on Monday.

Patsy, as she was known to her friends, family and co-workers, was active in the labour movement for over forty years. In 1982 she joined the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees' Union (SGEU/NUPGE), where she worked on behalf of the members for 19 years as an Education Officer, Staff Representative, Director of Membership Services, and Executive Director of Operations.

"It is with great sadness that I learned of the loss of Sister Gallagher," said National Union president James Clancy.

"On behalf of the National Executive Board and all members of the National Union family, I wish to pay tribute to Patsy's remarkable life and work. She made a vital contribution to building the National Union and the broader labour movement into the strong and dynamic force that it is today. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her."

Patsy was a member of NUPGE's Collective Bargaining Advisory Committee for many years. She valued justice in the workplace and worked hard to achieve it on behalf of the members of SGEU/NUPGE through improvements to the collective bargaining process. She was also an active supporter of many social causes, a founding member of Saskatchewan Working Women, a published author and an activist who believed in living her values.

She helped transform the labour movement by drawing attention to the need for "equal pay for work of equal value" and child care for working women. She was a role model for all working women and young women in particular.

"Patsy was a wonderful person and a great trade unionist and was determined to use every opportunity to make life better for hardworking families. It would be impossible to list all of Patsy's achievements. Suffice to say that we were all privileged to witness the passion, resolve, grace and courage of this remarkable woman," added Clancy.

"I extend the heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences of the National Union family to Sister Gallagher's family." NUPGE
 

Patricia Gallagher

GALLAGHER - Patricia Patsy passed away on Monday, June 19, 2006, at the age of 66 years. A CELEBRATION OF PATSY'S LIFE will be held at Regina Funeral Home, Hwy #1 East, Regina, SK on Saturday, June 24, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. A full obituary will appear in the Thursday edition of the Regina Leader Post. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Transition House of Regina, P.O. Box 1364, Regina, SK S4P 3B8. Arrangements entrusted to the Regina Funeral Home.