TEACHING union NASUWT elected acting leader Chris Keates unopposed as its new general secretary yesterday.
Ms Keates was the unanimously agreed nominee of the union's national executive and received the nomination of 87 local associations, well over three times the number required by election rules.
NASUWT president Pat Lerew said: "I am delighted that Chris has been elected unopposed to the position of general secretary.
"With great sadness, she has essentially carried out the work since the illness and untimely death of Eamonn O'Kane. I know this is the result Eamonn would have wanted.
"Chris is the first female general secretary of NASUWT and a person of great ability and integrity."
Ms Keates thanked the executive and the 87 associations and pledged to meet "the challenges the role will inevitably bring."
She added: "Today will, however, be tinged with sadness. I, like everyone else in NASUWT, would have wished the circumstances which led to my appointment being different."
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