04/07/2012 -

Cathaoirleach Welcomes Jack O'Connor to County Hall

Newly elected Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Councillor Veronica Cawley welcomed General President of SIPTU Jack O’Connor to County Hall on his recent visit to Sligo. The Cathaoirleach stated that “it was a special honour for me that one of my first official duties as Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council is to host this reception to formally acknowledge the special contribution Jack O’Connor has made to the Trade Union movement and the rights of workers in this country.”

Councillor Cawley spoke of the long tradition of the union in Sligo town and county and indeed it was through her involvement with the trade union that she entered politics. She outlined Jack O’Connor’s impressive role as an advocate for SIPTU and his expertise and experience have resulted in him being called on as Vice-President of Congress, with service on both the General Purposes Committee and private sector committee of ICTU. Also, during these difficult economic times when people with the least resources and who are on the margins of society are suffering the Cathaoirleach believes “it is all the more essential to have the support of a robust and experienced trade union, and SIPTU has provided firm and committed leadership under the outstanding leadership of Jack O’Connor.”

Mr O’Connor congratulated Councillor Cawley on her election as Cathaoirleach and was glad and honoured to be afforded this reception and he accepted this honour on behalf of the union. Mr O’Connor also recognised the strong trade union movement in Sligo through the years and stated that SIPTU was “proud to represent workers in Sligo and the local authority and I am glad to avail of this opportunity to have this contribution recognised. He also spoke of his reason for coming to Sligo to inaugurate a new district committee system and Sligo was one of the first locations where the initiative was being launched. He looked forward to the continued strong ties between the union and Sligo and again thanked the Cathaoirleach for this honour.

- Cathaoirleach Councillor Cawley presents Jack O'Connr of SIPTU with the recently published Historial Sligo Atlas

- SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor, Cathaoirleach Councillor Veronica Cawley and Councillor Declan Bree

- Reception to Honour General President of SIPTU Jack O'Connor