October 30, 2007

Media Release

EPMU backs Don Pryde for Dunedin South

Don Pryde, the national president of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, has confirmed he will be standing for selection for the Labour Party candidacy in Dunedin South next election.

Pryde is an electrical technician and is a longstanding member of the Labour Party and the Dunedin South LEC.

He is a father of three with a strong record of community service including his current position as chair of the electrical workers’ registration board and seven years as chair of his local primary school’s board of trustees.

He has been a member of the EPMU’s national executive since 1994 and was elected president in 2005.

Pryde says he feels it is time to step up to a more public representative role.

“I’ve been involved with this community through the local board of trustees and as an elected representative of my workmates and my fellow union members, and I feel that now is a good time to take on a more public role.

“Dunedin South is my home. It’s where I work and where I send my kids to school, and I want to do the best job I can representing my community.”

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says Pryde has the full support of the EPMU.

“When you look at Parliament, especially in the opposition benches, you see corporate lawyers and business interests well represented, but not a lot of ordinary working people. If we’re going to have a true house of representatives then we need people like Don Pryde in there too.

“Don has proven his leadership skills and his strong commitment to his community, and that’s why our members have consistently elected him as their representative since 1994. He has our full support in Dunedin South.”

ENDS

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