“It is with great sadness and regret that we received the news of the death of Colin Clark - ex General Secretary of the
PSA”, said, PSA President Ian Bamber. Colin started work in the PSA in 1975 and was General Secretary from 1986 to his
retirement in 1991.
“Colin was one of life's great characters who worked tirelessly in the interests of workers and public services. Even
after 16 years at the PSA Colin went onto to do more good work in the public arena as spokesperson for the MMP campaign
and as an employment mediator,” said Mr Bamber.
“Colin led a rich and varied life. Before coming to the PSA he worked as a construction worker at places like Roxburgh
Hydro and the Homer Tunnel. He also spent a number of years as officer in charge at some of New Zealand's isolated
weather stations at Cambell and Raoul Islands where he became interested in ornithology. He even discovered a spider on
Cambell Island which is named after him - Gohai Clarki. In 1996 -7 he was leader of the DSIR Scott base party and
participated in an expedition to the Auckland Islands. Immediately prior to joining the PSA he had been an industrial
relations manager for Downers.
From the union perspective Colin will be most remembered for the lead role he played in the establishment of the Council
of Trade Unions. Colin had a vision for the union movement where it could speak with one voice on behalf of all workers.
One of his key priorities was to improve the dialogue between unions and the Government. Colin also led the PSA through
troubled times with the introduction of the State Sector Act, the Employment Contracts Act, and the public sector
reforms of the late 1980's.
“When asked in an interview on his appointment to the General Secretary's position in the PSA, how he would most like to
be remembered. He answered "I hope that I would be remembered with some affection by the PSA staff". And that is exactly
how he is remembered, by staff, union members, colleagues and employers alike. He had passion, vision and commitment,
but above all could relate directly to working people and their issues. Everyone who knew Colin liked and respected him
for what he was, a caring person. We shall miss him greatly”, said Ian Bamber.
Ends