Billy Hayes (trade unionist)

Last updated

Dian Lee
​
(m. 1995)​
Billy Hayes
Leader of the
Communication Workers' Union
In office
2001–2015
Children2

William Hayes (born 8 June 1953) is a British politician who served as leader of the Communication Workers' Union in the United Kingdom.

Contents

Early life

Born in Netherfield Liverpool, he attended St Swithin's Secondary Modern School on Croxteth Hall Lane (closed 1983). He later gained a Diploma in Trade Union Studies from the University of Liverpool. Hayes worked as a welder from 1968 to 1971, then for John West Foods from 1971 to 1973,hitch hiking in Europe for four months in 1973,and a few months on the dole before becoming a postman in 1974.

Communication Workers Union

He became active in the Communication Workers Union, and in 1992 was elected to its National Executive Committee, then four months later elected to National Officer the Assistant Secretary of the Outdoor Department. He was elected General Secretary of the union in 2001. [1] As General Secretary for the Communication Workers Union, he was one of the Awkward Squad, seen as troublesome to New Labour. Although involved in numerous disputes, both industrial and political, he was popular with Government because of continued support for Labour and his genial style. During his time in office membership of the union has fallen due to redundancies and an ageing workforce within British Telecoms and postal service Royal Mail. [2] In 2015, he was beaten for re-election by his own deputy, Dave Ward. [3]

UNI post and logistics

He was 2010 to 2015 World President of UNI Post and Logistics – a sector of UNI Global Union. With more than 2.5 million members worldwide the Post and Logistics Sector is one of UNI's largest.

Election to Conference Arrangements Committee

In September 2017, he and Seema Chandwani were elected to the Labour Conference Arrangements Committee. [4]

Personal life

In September 1995, he married Dian Lee in Knowsley. They have a son, Niall, and a daughter, Melissa.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Who's Who: CWU GS Billy Hayes' profile Archived 8 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ "THE union boss behind the postal strike is on an annual salary package of nearly £100,000, four times the national average pay."
  3. ↑ "CWU general secretary Billy Hayes defeated by deputy in ballot", BBC News , 16 April 2015
  4. ↑ "Pro-Corbyn candidates sweep the board in Conference Arrangements Committee election".
Trade union offices
Preceded by General Secretary of the Communication Workers' Union
2001–2015		Succeeded by


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