Tony Martin Attends Clarence Dungey's 75th, Pays Tribute in House Statement

OTTAWA -- Because of that "virtual" picture beside the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture in his family kitchen growing up, Sault MP Tony Martin knew he had to be in Ottawa this past weekend.

Martin attended the 75th birthday celebration for long-time union and community activist Clarence Dungey who had served as the third president of the Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council from 1977 to 1982. Martin told the gathering and repeated the story in a House of Commons statement today that he saw Dungey's picture in his mind beside the Sacred Heart picture hanging in his devout Catholic home because Dungey had turned his parents (Michael and Rose Martin) job into a union job.

"...My parents lived for the last 25 years of their life on the pension Clarence negotiated for my dad and mom's union job," Martin told MPs. Martin expressed concern for unions coming under attack and governments attempting to both lower wages for workers and lower taxes for corporations.

Here is Martin's full statement:

Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Ottawa a full house of admirers toasted longtime union and community activist Clarence  Dungey on his 75th birthday. Clarence has been a champion of all things fair and just. He served as the third Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council president.

He's touched a lot of people including my own family.  For many years I imagined the picture of Clarence beside a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus picture hanging in our devout Catholic family home. That's because my parents lived for the last 25 years of their life on the pension Clarence negotiated for my dad and mom's union job.

Clarence knew the power of organized labour and community working together for the common good. We should all be concerned today as we see unions come under attack in places like Sudbury. And as governments look for ways to lower wages for workers and taxes for corporations.

I salute Clarence and all defenders of collective agreements who stand up to governments who would dump their mistakes on the backs of workers.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend in Ottawa, a full house of admirers hosted longtime union and community activist Clarence Dungey on his 75th birthday. For most of his life, Clarence has been a champion of all things fair and just, including his time as Sault Ste. Marie Labour Council president.

He has touched a lot of people, including my own family. For many years, a virtual picture of Clarence held a prominent place above our devout Catholic family's kitchen table, alongside a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. That is because, among other things, my parents lived for the last 25 years of their life on the pension Clarence negotiated for them.

Clarence knew the power of community working together for the common good. We should all be concerned today as we see unions come under attack in places like Sudbury and as governments look for ways to lower wages for workers and taxes for corporations. Today I salute Clarence and all others like him across the country who support the right of workers to organize and fight for the dignity of all.