Former IMPACT national secretary Al Butler died earlier this month. He worked for IMPACT for over a quarter of a century, retiring in 2005. 

Since then, tributes from former union colleagues have all emphasised his skill as a negotiator, wealth of experience and good humour. 

Former IMPACT general secretary Peter McLoone said “The Local Government and Public Services Union (LGPSU) and IMPACT were very fortunate to have Al as one its officials for over a quarter of a century. He brought a rich tapestry of experiences, energy, skill and wisdom to the many roles he filled. His personality was infectious, his wit legendary. Al possessed a wide repertoire of perspectives that always brought laughter when he shared his stories and experiences. No one captivated an audience like Al when he was in full flow.”

A piece that featured in IMPACT News on his retirement gave an overview of Al’s early career. He worked for a brief period in Guinness’s as a fitter turner and then as a draughtsman. He then moved on to the ESB as a technical officer, it was there that he became involved with trade unions. He was chairperson of the ESB group of unions and Irish president of the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (AEUW TASS).

He joined the LGPSU in 1980 as a regional officer in Dublin. His area of work then expanded to include the northeast, midlands and southeast. In 1991, when IMPACT was founded, Al was promoted to national secretary, a role he held first in the services and enterprises division and then in the local government division, two years later. 

Members in the union’s Dún Laoghaire Rathdown branch recalled taking part in union trainings given by Al: “The enthusiasm with which Al played the role of the adversarial employer made us relieved that he was on our side. Over the years when he served as national secretary, he played a more familiar role as a strong trade unionist representing the interests of our members.”

Kevin Callinan, general secretary of Fórsa, extended sympathies on behalf of the union to Al’s family and friends. Kevin said: “For those of us who knew him, the news of Al's death hit hard. He was a wonderful colleague with so many sides to his character. His ability as a raconteur, his wit, and his collegiate nature, often disguised a searing intellect, a capacity for incisive analysis, and brilliance as an advocate and negotiator."

 
In the 1990s Al became involved in the Local and Regional Government Committee of the European Public Service Union (EPSU). Over the years he was a member, vice-president and president of the EPSU Standing Committee on local and regional government. Through these roles he contributed to the development of European social dialogue with the European employers in the Council of European Municipalities and Regions. 

Jan Willem Goudriaan, general secretary of the EPSU said it was a pleasure to have worked with Al. In a letter sending condolences Jan wrote: “Al was a trade union leader who played an important role in EPSU. I remember his humour, down to earth attitude and his comradery.”

These recollections are only a handful of the tributes that have been made since Al’s death. There can be no doubt that he will be remembered with great fondness by his union colleagues.

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