Maritime Union mourns loss of Helen Kelly, friend and leader to New Zealand workers

Maritime Union of New Zealand media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday 14 October 2016

The Maritime Union of New Zealand mourns the death of union leader Helen Kelly, aged 52.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Joe Fleetwood says Helen Kelly was a great friend to maritime workers and all New Zealand workers.

“Helen led from the front and took on tough challenges. Her strength and persistence were inspirational.”

Helen Kelly had supported maritime workers strongly in various industrial struggles in her time as President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

Even after her retirement from that position after her diagnosis with cancer, she had continued to work for the betterment of her fellow New Zealanders, supporting many causes including the medicinal use of cannabis.

Mr Fleetwood says the death of Helen Kelly at a young age was very sad but she had packed in several lifetimes of achievement.

Her advocacy for workplace health and safety, and secure jobs, was a great testament to a outstanding working class leader, he says.

Vale Helen.

ENDS

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