Brendan McCarthy - a union man with a big heart

Brendan McCarthy former Joint Regional Convenor for UNISON Northern Ireland and Branch Secretary of the NUPE North & West Belfast Health Branch and the UNISON Royal Hospitals Branch died last week.

Brendan was a member of NUPE and UNISON for most of his life. He loved the union. He met his late wife, Frances, while working in the Royal Victoria Hospital. His mother, his brother George and many of his family members worked there too. His son Conor McCarthy is the current Joint Chairperson of the Branch. He loved his family.

Throughout his long service as a trade unionist Brendan helped thousands of members and they, in turn, consistently elected him as their chosen union rep. In the 80’s and 90’s he led some of toughest strikes we have ever experienced, including the longest strike in the NHS in Northern Ireland, which we won. Brendan went on to work for the union as a Regional Organiser.

Brendan believed passionately in the dignity of working class people. His service to the members is a matter of record. He also had a big heart. Few people know that he worked quietly to bring some joy to lonely pensioners in his community. He was our friend and colleague and we will miss him.

Patricia McKeown

Bob Crow RIP - 'A great member of our trade union family'

Dave Prentis issued this statement on yesterday's untimely death of RMT leader Bob Crow: ‘I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Bob Crow. Unison members will want to send their sympathy to his family and friends. Bob was a tough, no-nonsense union leader who always did his best for his members. And it was very much down to his tough stance that their pay and conditions improved.Despite all the flack he got, he stood his ground and was a great member of our trade union family. His loss will be felt across the whole trade union movement’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPPUGjJ6I8A&app=desktop

Willie Carolan

The funeral of Willie Carolan, Glasgow UNISON steward, communications activist, housing, credit union activist, internationalist and partner of NEC member Jane Carolan is being held in Glasgow today. Here we print the moving obituary to Willie in today's order of service.

Tribute to Inez

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has published a video of a powerful tribute to the achievements, life, times and unfinished business of Inez McCormack by UNISON's Northern Ireland Regional Secretary, Patricia McKeown:
http://vimeo.com/62283755

Gore Vidal: Radical alternative voice

The death of Gore Vidal on Tuesday leaves the USA much poorer with the loss of a radical alternative political voice - one prepared to take on the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the American establishment. Best known as a novelist and a playwright, Vidal was at his best in his dissection of the American political classes and their pretensions.

Bick's tribute to Bill Wedderburn

On Friday a funeral service took place in London to mark the death of Lord Bill Wedderburn QC, a renowned labour lawyer who died on 9 March 2012. Rodney Bickerstaffe former General Secretary of UNISON gave the following tribute to Bill on behalf of the trade union movement:

Lord Wedderburn Co-founder of the Institute of Employment Rights - Obituary

The Guardian today includes an obituary for one of the names, although possibly unknown to most trade union activists, that was one of the most influential in the UK in the world of employment law.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/mar/12/lord-wedderburn-of-charlton

John Ross 1955-2011

John Ross, UNISON stalwart, a dedicated Labour politician, and a friend to so, so many, died aged 56 on 22 October 2011. He worked for Edinburgh District Council, then the City of Edinburgh Council for almost 38 years. He was a senior activist in the NALGO Edinburgh City Branch and then in the UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch until his death. He had been Scottish vice-chair of NALGO.

Keith Faulkner tribute event

Paul Rey-Burns of the TUC has put together the audiotape of the speeches from the recent Keith Faulkner tribute event with some of the graphics used on the night. UNISON Active readers who were unable to attend might like to share the memories:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbAuiBr9_n8
For background go to: http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2011/01/keith-faulkner-rip-loss-to-whole.html

Keith Faulkner RIP - a loss to the whole movement‏

The trade union movement has lost a great servant in Keith Faulkner. Quietly effective and described by TUC colleagues as "invincible and at the hub of everything, not only organisation wise, but physically too!" he had that rarest of gifts, the ability to implement a plan and make things happen.

RIP Sheena Grant MBE, Darts Champion and UNISON Activist

Family, friends, colleagues and comrades gathered at Aberdeen Crematorium yesterday to say a last farewell to Sheena Grant, Aberdeen University branch chair, long standing Higher Education activist, and recent Scottish representative on the UNISON NEC.