Fórsa’s Galway branch has presented Tom Browne with a distinguished service award for his many years of service to IMPACT. Tom, who has been active in the branch for many years, is currently the Fórsa branch secretary.

A local authority library worker, Tom has an in-depth knowledge of the entire local government system. Former IMPACT president Kevin O’Malley described him as the union’s elder statesman on local government. “Tom is a timeless character that everyone goes to for advice,” he said.

Tom has held many roles within the union. He currently represents the Local Government and Local Services division on the Fórsa national executive committee, and is a member of the union’s International and Global Solidarity Committee. He has been chair of the local government division.

Fórsa official Padraig Mulligan described Tom as the cornerstone of the branch. “Tom is loyal, hardworking and extremely efficient. Throughout our lives we look for people to take example from, and Tom is certainly that. He is a true trade unionist,” he said.

Joint Fórsa president Pat Fallon said it was an honour to present the distinguished service award. “Tom always goes about his business in a very quiet and unassuming manner. He has given years and years of service to members in Galway and at a national level. If there were more people with the commitment and service to their fellow worker that Tom has shown throughout his life the world would be the better for it,” he said.

National secretary Peter Nolan said: “Tom Browne is a trade union activist who gets all aspects of the movement, from dealing with vulnerable workers in the workplace to influencing the development of modern progressive public services, to ensuring justice through solidarity in Ireland and on the international stage.”