General Council Report 2023

Eileen Carroll, who died in April, started working for the TUC in 1979 as a typist. Two years later, she became departmental secretary in the International Department, where she worked until 1999. 

Peter Coldrick, who died in March, was the TUC’s representative in Brussels from 2003 until his retirement in 2009, and an influential figure in the relationship between the TUC and Europe throughout his working life. He originally joined the TUC in the early 1970s, before moving to the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in 1973 and joining the ETUC in 1976. A passionate European, he was also the TUC member of the European Economic and Social Committee, a consultative body of the EU. 

Mike Grindley, who died on new year’s day, was a member of one of PCS’s predecessor unions. He was an unassuming and passionate spokesperson for 14 GCHQ officials sacked for refusing to accept the sudden ban on trade union membership announced by Margaret Thatcher in 1984. Mike was instrumental in the long and ultimately successful campaign to restore trade union rights at GCHQ, and one of his proudest moments was marching back through the gates of GCHQ when Labour lifted the ban in 1997. 

Alan Jinkinson, who died in November, was general secretary of UNISON and served on the TUC’s General Council from 1990 to 1995. After becoming a trainee accountant in the City and working for a short spell as a teacher, he joined Nalgo’s education department in 1960, rising to deputy general secretary in 1981. In 1990 he became the union’s general secretary and was influential in facilitating Nalgo’s merger in 1993 with Nupe and Cohse to form UNISON. A skilled negotiator who always sought the best outcomes for his members, he was general secretary of the new union until his retirement in 1996. He continued to serve as the employee representative on the Employment Tribunal, and also served on Lewisham Council. 

David Lambert, who died in May, was president of the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades (KFAT), serving on the TUC’s General Council from 1984 to 1993. After leaving school, he worked in the garment industry and joined the National Union of Hosiery and Knitwear Workers. He started working for the union full time in 1964, and was elected its general secretary in 1975. In 1982 he became the union’s general president and led it into merger, creating KFAT. He continued as the new union’s general president until 1994, and served as president of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation from 1992 to 1996. He also served on the Employment Appeal Tribunal before retiring in 2004. 

Janet Pickering, who died in March, worked for the TUC’s South West region, where she was warden of the Tolpuddle shop, museum and cottages from 1999 until her retirement in 2013. 

Stuart Slater, who died in January, worked for the TUC for over two decades. He started at Congress House in 1969 as an assistant, becoming assistant secretary of the Organisation and Industrial Relations Department in 1979. Among his many responsibilities, Stuart organised the TUC’s annual Congress and other conferences, and liaised with trades councils. He retired in 1992, just after Congress.