General Secretary
Joe was elected to the position of General Secretary of SIPTU in October, 2002. On his appointment Joe committed himself to working with the Union's members, activists and staff to make SIPTU a dynamic organisation that will defend and promote the rights of workers throughout the island of Ireland.
He joined the Union as an apprentice mechanic at the age of 16 and soon after became a shop steward and union activist. Since he was first appointed a full-time official at the age of 22, he has gained considerable and widespread experience representing workers in both the public and private sector.
Joe has served the Union as an industrial official, Branch Secretary, National Industrial Secretary and Regional Secretary.
Joe has been an active member of the Labour Party since he was a teenager and was proud to be elected Lord Mayor of Cork in 1998-99.
Joe was elected to the position of Treasurer on the Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in in 2003.
He is also a Director of three SIPTU-affiliated bodies - the IDEAS Institute, the Irish Trade Union Trust and the Liberty Hall Centre for the Performing Arts.
He is married to Mary with one son, Conor.
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