MGEU staff and activists celebrate Tom Bleasdale's long career in the labour movement

At the age of 79, long time labour activist Tom Bleasdale passed away this week.

Originally a painter and decorator by trade, Tom first got involved with his union while working for the Manitoba Telephone System. It wasn’t long before he was trading in his paint-spattered clothes for a suit and tie, becoming full-time business manager for the Manitoba communications union.

In 1974, he moved on to the Canadian Labour Congress as their Manitoba representative. Five years later, he joined the MGEU as Director of Education and after six years of building and expanding that department, he became the Assistant Deputy Minister of Labour for the Province.

Even after retirement, he remained active, serving on several boards and leading the Manitoba Government Retired Employees Association.

All of us at the MGEU salute his years of commitment to the working people of Manitoba.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, July 5 at the Masonic Memorial Temple, 420 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg.