Guild Reporter photo

Larry McInnis, pictured here in 1989, was a formidable organizer.

15 May 2006

Montreal Guild activist Larry McInnis
loses battle with cancer

Montreal Newspaper Guild | TNG Canada Local 30111

Larry McInnis, the long-time president of the Montreal Newspaper Guild, died early today after a battle with cancer. He was 74.

Larry did just about everything during his career as a journalist — from photographer to managing editor. For many readers of the Montreal Gazette, his most familiar role was as the paper's weekly stamp columnist.

He got his start as cameraman with the RCAF in the early 1950s, and returned to the military for two more stints in both the '60s and '70s. Many would say it was his ingrained military discipline that made him a formidable union organizer.

First elected as president of the Local in 1982, Larry had already done much of the initial spadework to organize the editorial departments of both The Gazette and the Montreal Star.

The Gazette newsroom was certified in 1977; at that point the combined Guild membership at both the Star and Gazette was about 700. There followed a brutal newspaper war for survival, which the Star lost. At a stroke, the Montreal Guild was reduced to 63 members.

Undaunted, Larry focused his organizing abilities on the Gazette's other departments. One by one they came on board. By the time Larry retired in 1998, the Local had again peaked at about 450 members. 

Montreal Guild president Michele Carle notes that Larry had a unique style in running the Local – at the same time iron-fisted and highly informal. “Many were critical, but few could say he did not get results for the Local’s membership.”

Larry was a leader in Guild affairs, not only at The Gazette but across Canada and at the Guild's international level. He was instrumental in founding TNG Canada, which groups the various Guild locals across the country, and served as the organization's Eastern Vice-President.  
 
Our condolences go out to Larry's family and extended family, and to his many friends in the labour movement and the journalistic community. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Alfred Dallaire Funeral Home, 123 Maple Blvd., Chateauguay.