Gerry Quigley
Encyclopedia
Gerry Quigley was a trade unionist and political activist in Northern Ireland
.
Quigley grew up in the Donegall Pass area of Belfast
. He studied at St Joseph's Training College before working as a primary school teacher
.
Quigley was appointed Northern Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation
(INTO) in 1954. In this role, he secured equal pay for women teachers and pay equivalence between Northern Irish teachers and those in England and Wales.
In 1964, Quigley worked with National Unity
, an Irish nationalist political study group, to call a conference of all nationalists in Northern Ireland. This founded the National Political Front, and in 1965, Quigley became the first Chair of its successor, the National Party, soon renamed the National Democratic Party.
In 1978, Quigley became the General Secretary of INTO. He also served as the President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Quigley grew up in the Donegall Pass area of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. He studied at St Joseph's Training College before working as a primary school teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
.
Quigley was appointed Northern Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation
Irish National Teachers' Organisation
The Irish National Teachers' Organisation , in Irish Cumann Múinteoirí Éireann, which was founded in 1868, is the largest teachers' trade union in Ireland. It represents teachers at primary level in the Republic of Ireland, and at primary and post-primary level in Northern Ireland. The head office...
(INTO) in 1954. In this role, he secured equal pay for women teachers and pay equivalence between Northern Irish teachers and those in England and Wales.
In 1964, Quigley worked with National Unity
National Unity (Ireland)
National Unity was an Irish nationalist political study group in Northern Ireland.Nationalism in Northern Ireland in the late 1950s was dominated by the Nationalist Party. This effectively operated as a network of elected politicians. Its attempt to build a rank-and-file movement, the Irish...
, an Irish nationalist political study group, to call a conference of all nationalists in Northern Ireland. This founded the National Political Front, and in 1965, Quigley became the first Chair of its successor, the National Party, soon renamed the National Democratic Party.
In 1978, Quigley became the General Secretary of INTO. He also served as the President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Irish Congress of Trade Unions
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions , formed in 1959 by the merger of the Irish Trade Union Congress and the Congress of Irish Unions , is a national trade union centre, the umbrella organisation to which trade unions in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland affiliate.-Influence:There...
.