It is with profound sadness that the Canadian Labour Congress learned of the loss of its former Secretary-Treasurer, Brother Dick Martin, who died in October after a fight with cancer.

"The Canadian labour movement has lost a great fighter and we have lost a friend," said Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. "May our gratitude and that of labour activists all over the world for all that he contributed, help comfort his wife Cathy and his children Margaret, Ross and Jack in this time of great loss."

Dick was referred to as "a diamond in the rough", a man from Northern Manitoba who rose through the ranks from his days as a miner and member of the United Steelworkers of America, to President of his local, #6166 in Thompson, to President of the Manitoba Federation of Labour for six remarkable years. In 1984, Dick was elected an Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress and, in 1992, elected by acclamation as Secretary-Treasurer.

In 1997, he was elected President of the 43-million member Inter-American Regional Labour Organization (ORIT) – the first to be elected and the only English-speaking President in the organization since it was founded in 1949.

Dick Martin was instrumental in establishing April 28th as the Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured by their work – a day that is now observed by working men and women around the world.

"The stature of the Canadian Labour Congress among global labour organizations is Dick's legacy for all of us," according to president Ken Georgetti. "We are all heartbroken to lose a man who has done so much to build the international solidarity that has become so important in the fight against corporate globalization. Dick's years of tireless hard work should get all the credit for the firm and coherent union participation in the Quebec City summits in last April. The hemispheric alliance wouldn't exist as it does today had it not been for him."

"Dick will be remembered across the country and around the world for his fervour in advancing the cause of health and safety in the workplace and is strong-minded anti-poverty activism," says Nancy Riche, who worked with Brother Martin for many years as an officer of the CLC and succeeded him as Secretary-Treasurer. "His passing is a tragedy and he will be missed very, very much."

Brother Martin passed away at the age of 57 after a courageous battle against cancer.