In Memorium - Jevgenija Stalidzāne, President of the Latvian Trade Union "Energija "

(26 October 2015) The Latvian unions informed us that Jevgenija Stalidzāne, the President of the Latvian trade union "Energija" has suddenly died, 21 October 2015. Jevgenija has been the chair of the union for 10 years. Jevgenija was born 17.12.1944

EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan "Jevgenija was a remarkable person. Her influence went beyond the union. She was a tireless defender of public services and not just in the electricity sector. She spoke out for health care and other workers, as she would speak out for the members of her union. Jevgenija had profound understanding of the changes in the energy market and guided her union to deal with them. She was also a tireless advocate of European and global trade union cooperation. It is a sad loss for EPSU and the trade union movement in Latvia."

Juris Kalnis of the Latvian union LAKRS said: "Jevgenija was a wonderful chairwoman and trade unionist who always stood in the frontline to defend workers' rights, even in the most challenging circumstances. She proved to be an endless source of inspiration for other trade unionists, setting the standards for commitment in defending workers' and human rights at the highest possible level."

Jevgenija was a member of the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS). She was part of the EPSU Executive and played an active role in the North East European Constituency. She has served two terms in the Parliament of Republic of Latvia.

We join our Latvian colleagues in mourning this unexpected loss. Jevgenija will remain in our memory and hearts with all the good she has done for trade union members, the people and society. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and colleagues in this dark and difficult moment