Alberta labour movement mourns loss of activist Tom Olenuk
EDMONTON – Members of AUPE were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death last week of Tom Olenuk, long-time labor activist and president of the Edmonton and District Labour Council. He was 57.
“Tom was a committed activist who made a tremendous contribution over the years to our movement and to the well-being of all working people, whether or not they had the opportunity to be part of a union,” said AUPE President Guy Smith.
“We will all miss his determination to fight discrimination in all its forms and his devotion to the rights of working people and those in need,” Smith said.
Olenuk, a member of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, became active in the union movement in 1978 during CUPW’s struggles that year with the Post Office. He spent 11 years as President, Secretary-Treasurer and Grievance Officer with CUPW’s Edmonton local.
He was elected to the Executive of the Edmonton and District Labour Council in 1986, and served as Executive Secretary-Treasurer for 14 years. He was elected president of the EDLC in October 2003 and served in that role until his death at his home in Edmonton on Nov. 19.
Olenuk was active in the defence of principles and programs important to working Albertans right to the end of his life. Throughout the past year he was at many demonstrations and picket lines, most recently at the Nov. rally in support of public health care in Red Deer.
In addition, he served on the Executive of the Alberta Federation of Labour, the AFL’s Environment Committee, as Director of the Alberta Environment Network, with the Alberta Capital Region United Way campaign, the Leadership Council of Vibrant Communities Edmonton and the Governance Committee of the Edmonton Community Foundation.
Olenuk was known and respected for his forthright and outspoken comments and his deep understanding of Parliamentary procedure, said Perri Garvin, Capital Region United Way labour representative.
“Tom was a wonderful mentor to new activists and personally as a friend he was loyal, generous and in possession of an often outrageous sense of humor,” Garvin said.
Olenuk is survived by his brother Brian, his sister Diane Rudrum, her husband Les, and nieces Alana, Tyree, Tasha and Jasmine.
There will be a celebration of Tom’s life from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, in the cafeteria of NorQuest College, 10215 – 108 Street N.W. in Edmonton.
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