‘End of an era’: After 25 years union stalwart Tom Lynch leaves legacy for workers

He’s negotiated with seven Premiers over 25 years but now the former head of Tasmania’s public sector union is leaving. Read about the tributes.

Assistant Secretary of CPSU Natalie Jones and general secretary Thirza White with Tom Lynch who is retiring from the CPSU. Picture: Linda Higginson

A stalwart of the union movement, Tom Lynch, is widely admired for fighting for workers.

Although softly spoken with an avuncular manner he is a highly-skilled and tough negotiator.

One of six children Mr Lynch, who turns 60 soon, came to Tasmania from Sydney with his parents in 1973 because they believed the state had a good education system and university.

He studied chemistry at UTAS but left to work at Comalco Aluminium after his father suffered serious illness.

“Without the Whitlam government’s changes to university access children like me would never have had an opportunity to study and grow our minds,” Mr Lynch said.

The first union he joined was the AWU “when your union membership form was given to you with you employment paperwork and you were the exception if you didn’t join”.

He worked in research at Forestry Tasmania for 15 years before moving to the CPSU.

“My work involved plenty of field work, so I got to know regional Tasmania very well and built strong relationships with the staff in regional offices, many of whom were real characters and the centre of their local communities.”

Mr Lynch, who also served three terms as CPSU Federal President and was involved in supporting public sector unions globally, says he’s honoured to have been elected for 25 years.

“There is something special about coming to work each day knowing that thousands of members have chosen you to speak on their behalf and to represent them.

“That has been the highlight of my career.

An initiative by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) and the Health and Community Services Union has been set up to encourage workers to pass out fake $20 Lara Giddings emblazoned notes, from left, Tim Jacobson and CPSU general secretary Tom Lynch with the mock currency

“The lowlight was my failure in 2011 to convince then Premier Lara Giddings that forced redundancies was not the way to make cuts to the public sector and that if she worked with the service, savings could be made in a way that maintained capability without undermining job security.

“I still believe she made the wrong decision and took the easy option, and I know the impact that had on thousands of workers and their families.”

An avid Richmond AFL supporter and keen gardener, he’s clear of the bowel cancer he had 10 years ago and says the union will thrive under new leadership.

“In Thirza White and Natalie Jones our union has that strong leadership team so now is the time to step away and let them shine,” Mr Lynch said.

“I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted me to wish me well.

“I’m sure some are just pleased I’m gone but others, often people who sat on the other side of the table, have acknowledged my willingness to find practical solutions to shared problems and that is something I take great pride in.

“It’s easy to just oppose but much harder to listen, find the points in common, and come up with an outcome that is a win for both my members and the community they serve.”

Assistant Secretary of CPSU Natalie Jones and general secretary Thirza White with Tom Lynch who is retiring from the CPSU. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ms White said it was the “end of an era”.

“Tom never wavering in his belief that the interest of all Tasmanians is always best served by a public sector where those delivering the services are respected and valued,” she said.

“There is no Tasmanian State Service employee who has not been positively impacted by the work Tom and CPSU members have achieved together over the past 25 years.

“He leaves a huge legacy but perhaps unseen to most is the significant support and mentoring he has provided to a new generation of women.”

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said as well as his “fierce advocacy for public sector members” he had contributed to the wider union movement in various key roles.

“Tom also took what I’d say is a rare step back to allow for a leadership transition to support a woman to lead the CPSU and that’s not something you see very often.

“Leading a union is a tough job and one Tom excelled in.

“Tens of thousands of workers in Tasmania, whether they know it or not, have benefited from Tom’s work at the CPSU.

“The union movement will miss him.”

Originally published as ‘End of an era’: After 25 years union stalwart Tom Lynch leaves legacy for workers