Simon Weller becomes the new TUC president

Simon Weller will serve in the role for a year and preside over the TUC Congress in September 2027. He will also chair the TUC’s General Council and Executive Committee.

Union Activist 

Simon Weller has been ASLEF’s Assistant General Secretary for the last 17 years. He has been a member of the labour movement and the Labour Party all his adult life.

He started his career in the railway in 1987 when still a teenager – first as a driver assistant, and then train driver, working out of depots at Waterloo, Aberystwyth, Westbury, Warrington and Brighton.

Simon joined ASLEF immediately and became a branch chair at the age of 19, eventually climbing through the ranks to join ASLEF’s executive committee in 2006. 

After over 20 years of train driving, he was elected ASLEF AGS in 2009 – becoming responsible for education, equalities, pensions, recruitment and inter-union relations, and covering for the general secretary in his absence.

He joined the TUC’s general council in 2011.

Speaking on his election as President, Simon Weller said: 

“It is an honour to be elected president of the TUC’s general council. I will be the third ASLEF member and train driver to serve in that position, after John Bromley in 1932/33 and Ray Buckton in 1984/85.

“Like those years, these are momentous times, with the world plunging into irrevocable change, with the rise of the far-right and the collapse of seemingly safe jobs.

“I was privileged to have started with British Rail in the 1980s in a job that gave me a full career from a young age. A career that allowed me to buy a house, bring up a family, and provide security for them.

“My focus will be ensuring other young people can follow in those footsteps.  Apprenticeships have their place, but we are seeing a shortage of decent jobs and decent careers for young people – that must change.

“I look forward to working with all TUC affiliates over the next year to deliver on our mission to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more equal Britain for all.”

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 

“We welcome Simon as our President for the next year. He is an impressive union leader with years of experience in his field and a dedication to members and his industry.  

“Simon takes on the role of President at a pivotal time for workers. I’m excited to be working with him to ensure the Employment Rights Act is delivered in full, and to stave off the threats of the far right. 

“It's great to have Simon at the helm as TUC President, as we steer forward as a united labour movement, working together to help make work pay.”  

ENDS