Terry Carlin, who has died aged 57, was Northern Ireland officer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and played a major role in maintaining trade union unity when it was threatened by sectarianism.
Active in promoting equality not only in the workplace but also in the community, he courageously campaigned for peace and reconciliation during the worst years of the Troubles.
Paying tribute to his work "for all sections of the community", John Hume MP praised his dedication to improving the living and working standards of workers and the development of industry across Northern Ireland. The Rev Jim Rea, president of the Methodist Church in Ireland, described him as "one who stood against the forces of sectarianism from wherever they came".
He was born on January 25th, 1946, the seventh of 12 children of Neil and Lizzie Carlin, Elmwood Street, Derry. The family had a strong trade union tradition. His father was for 27 years Northern Ireland secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Painters and Decorators and was the union's first Irish president, while four of his brothers were active trade unionists.
He was educated locally by the Christian Brothers and at St Columb's College, later studying at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, where he obtained his BA. He then joined the staff of St Columbanus's Secondary School, Bangor, Co Down, as a teacher of English and drama.
In April 1971 the Northern Ireland Committee of ICTU appointed him training and information officer. Based in Belfast, his responsibilities included organising education courses for the members of affiliated unions.
In 1974 he became assistant to the Northern Ireland officer, Billy Blease, now Lord Blease of Cromac, whom he succeeded the following year. The early to mid-1970s witnessed some of the worst political violence in Northern Ireland. It was against a background of bombings, shootings and sectarian assassinations that the ICTU Better Life for All campaign got under way. Terry Carlin was prominent in the campaign that sought to focus attention on issues such as housing, education and local democracy, which were in danger of being ignored as violence took hold.
A passionate advocate of fair employment, he contributed to the formulation of government policy that promoted equality of opportunity in employment. The establishment in 1976 of the Fair Employment Agency was a groundbreaking development, and further progress was made in 1988 when the Fair Employment Commission was established and given enhanced powers.
It was Terry Carlin who pioneered the idea of 50/50 recruitment, which was subsequently adopted by the Patten Commission on policing. Alert to the dangers of sectarianism in the workplace, he was instrumental in setting up Counteract, an initiative designed to reduce sectarian tensions at work. He was also associated with many peace initiatives in Northern Ireland and regularly spoke at public demonstrations against violence.
He was strongly of the belief that the search for peace and reconciliation should not be confined to the political parties, but should be broadened to include trade unions, business groups and voluntary organisations. He drafted policy papers on almost every aspect of economic and social life in Northern Ireland, and constantly highlighted the need for job creation. In 1980 he led an ICTU delegation that met Margaret Thatcher in London to protest about unemployment, then running at 15 per cent. She responded by saying that public spending was 35 per cent higher in Northern Ireland than in Britain. Nevertheless, an extra £48 million of public expenditure was later announced.
He retired from ICTU on health grounds in 2001. He enjoyed fishing and was a regular visitor to Schull, Co Cork. His wife Una, daughter Angela, brothers and sisters survive him.
Terry Carlin: born, January 25th, 1946; died, August 21st, 2003.