The legacy of Tom Allan

By Kerry Gennings

This union story spans nearly two decades, and begins with the death of the central figure.

Tom Allan was an audio/visual technician at Conestoga College and president of Local 238. He was on the CAAT Support negotiating team (and had been on the team during the 1979 CAAT Support strike, OPSEU’s first legal walkout).

On May 14, 1981, Tom had dropped fellow bargaining team members off at the Toronto airport and was driving home when he had a fatal heart attack at the wheel of his car. He had just turned 43. Tom was survived by his wife, Willie, a 16-month-old son, Jeremy, and two teenage children from a previous marriage. Seven weeks after Tom’s death, another son, Peter, was born.

Tom was a laid back individual, always quick with a smile and a joke. He was also a thoughtful caring person willing to help you whether requested or not. When colleagues had workplace or personal difficulties, Tom was one of the first to ask if you wanted someone to talk to or if there was anything he could do.

As a member of previous CAAT Support negotiating teams, Tom was known throughout OPSEU and even more among the colleges in Region 2.

One direct result of Tom’s death is a clause in the CAAT Support collective agreement that extends survivor benefits after a member’s death. In fact, this was an employer demand (an easy one to accept) after Tom’s death, and is part of his lasting legacy benefiting members he never knew.

As alternate, I replaced Tom on the bargaining team and as president of Local 238. Spearheaded by Eldon Downer, a team member from Sir Sandford Fleming College, we decided to initiate a trust fund for Tom’s two young children. An appeal to the OPSEU Executive Board produced $5,000 in start-up money and a promise to match every dollar raised to a maximum of $5,000. Other OPSEU locals gave an additional $7,000. With the board’s matching contribution, we had $17,000.

The initial executors of the trust fund were Eldon, myself and Lorraine Williams (formerly Garner) a Benefits Counselor at Conestoga College, who had respected Tom for his caring for others. Later Myrna Nicholas, another friend and OPSEU member from Conestoga College, replaced Eldon when he retired.

Our goal was to provide financial assistance to Jeremy and Peter when they were ready for post secondary education. Over the years, we also helped with school clothing and Christmas extras, guided by their mother as to the boys’ needs as they were growing up. Willie was their sole provider and was trying hard to get back into the labour market after Tom’s death. The Executors decided it would be a good investment in the boys’ future to help her buy a computer and printer as she returned to Conestoga to upgrade her skills. She subsequently graduated and now works in the Ministry of Community and Social Services where she’s an OPSEU member.

This summer, after managing the trust for 18 years, the executors met with Jeremy and Peter to disburse the remainder of the trust fund. The fund held $22,810, which we divided equally between them. We hope it will help them with the financial costs of higher education.

This September Jeremy is enrolled in an honours arts program at the University of Waterloo, majoring in English and history. Peter is still undecided but is leaning toward a community college course. According to Willie, he has "squirreled" the money away earmarked for his education when his plans are decided.

Through the years, we’ve been conscious of Tom. We have no doubt that if he were here today he would still be smiling and cajoling in his laid back manner and attempting to cheer up those who he thought needed it. He would have every reason to be proud of both his family and his union.

It’s part of his legacy, and we were privileged to have played a role.

Kerry Gennings joined OPSEU staff as a staff representative in 1993.

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