date: 11 September 2008

embargo: For immediate release

New TUC President elected in Brighton

Sheila Bearcroft, a lay member of the GMB and also a member of the union's governing executive council has today (Thursday) been elected as the next TUC President.

Sheila was elected this morning at a meeting of the TUC's governing body - the General Council - and takes over from Dave Prentis, the General Secretary of Unison.

Sheila left school at the age of 15 without any qualifications, and took a job serving behind the counter of a local shop in Pyle, South Wales. She worked there for almost a year before moving to a local food processing factory.

In 1965, Sheila moved to a carbide factory, making steel drums for industrial customers. The work was heavy for a young woman, but well paid. When Sheila got married she left the factory, and took a career break to raise her three young children.

Twelve years later, Sheila returned to work full-time work at Courtaulds, which supplyed blouses to Marks & Spencer. She worked in the cutting room, laying out the fabrics ready to be cut. During a wage negotiation, Sheila became increasingly involved in union activities, eventually becoming the cutting room shop steward in 1982.

After five years at Courtaulds, Sheila went to work at Morris Cohen, another textiles factory, this time working on lingerie for M&S. By now Sheila was a regular conference delegate for the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers (NUTGW).

In 1989 Shiela was elected to the executive board of the NUGTW, a role that involved representing workers in the garment trade across the UK. Two years later she proved a key player in the amalgamation of the GMB and NUGTW, assisting with the changes and ensuring members were fully informed and involved. In 1993 Sheila was appointed as a GMB Branch Secretary, her first full-time role in the union.

The following year, Sheila was appointed GMB South Western Regional President, then Clothing & Textiles Section President.

Commenting on her election as TUC President Sheila Bearcroft said: 'In my year as TUC President, one of my main priorities will be to give support to the continuing TUC campaign to see asylum seekers being given the right to work. While they wait months and sometimes years for their cases to be decided, asylum seekers are forced to survive on benefits, when all they want to do is provide for their families and contribute to the country in which they are keen to make their home.

'Continuing the work of the TUC Commission on Vulnerable Employment to secure a fair deal for all workers in the UK, highlighting the ongoing campaign to achieve equal pay for women and campaigning to narrow the huge gap that has opened up between low paid workers and the super-rich will also be amongst my priorities over the coming twelve months.'

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 11 Sep 2008