SIPTU President, Vice President step down
Gene Mealy has today retired from his position as SIPTU Vice President, following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council.
The decision follows confirmation that Jack O’Connor will step down as SIPTU General President.
Following the meeting, the outgoing SIPTU Vice President thanked the many SIPTU members, activists and staff from across the private, public and community sector with whom he has worked over the course of his career.
During the union’s restructuring, Gene emphasised the central role of shop stewards, activists and members and other colleagues with whom he has worked in the wider trade union movement.
A new national executive officer board led by SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn and including General Secretary Designate, Joe Cunningham, Deputy General Secretary for the Private Sector, Gerry McCormack, Deputy General Secretary for the Public Service, John King and Deputy General Secretary for Organising and Membership Development, Ethel Buckley have now assumed the leadership of the union.
ack O’Connor will step down as SIPTU General President today, the union has confirmed.
The decision was made following a meeting of the Union’s National Executive Council.
Mr O’Connor has been in the role for 14 and a half years and has served three consecutive six-year terms as a National Executive Officer.
Although he is stepping down from his current role as SIPTU President, Mr O’Connor is not retiring and will continue to work for the union in a different capacity.
From mid-2007 until mid-2011, Mr O’Connor was Vice President and then President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Joe Cunningham who was recently elected General Secretary Designate will be SIPTU’s spokesperson on General Policy.
Prior to his election to this role, he was Head of the Union’s Organising Department since 2010.
He previously held the role of Regional Secretary for the west of Ireland.
