Usdaw has appointed Joanne Thomas to be its new general secretary. A “lifelong trade unionist”, Thomas makes history as the retail trade union’s first-ever female head.
She will succeed the outgoing Paddy Lillis, who is set to retire after 35 years with Usdaw on 25 July. She will be joined in her new role by Rab Donnelly, who has been elected as the union’s new deputy general secretary, to replace Dave McCrossen who is also retiring.
Thomas first started as a union rep while working for wholesaler Makro in 2000. She has since held positions as area organiser and regional secretary for the north east. She was elected unopposed and was the only candidate to secure the required nominations.
“It is a great honour to be elected the general secretary of Usdaw, the trade union I have been a member of all my working life,” Thomas said. “I am proud to be the first woman elected to this role. I’d like to thank all the members, reps and officials who have supported me over the years and have prepared me to take on the biggest role in our union.”
In tribute to her predecessor, Lillis, she said: “I have a tough act to follow. Paddy has an incredible record of service and led the union through very difficult times, with the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
”Paddy’s leadership of our union has seen us move into a modern new headquarters, he has secured our finances to ensure we can provide a great service for our members, and we are now one of the fastest-growing trade unions. Paddy has been a real inspiration and mentor,” she said.
It marks a changing of the guard at the country’s largest retail trade union, at a time when workers across the food and drink sector continue to feel the uncertain effects of the cost of living crisis and surging crime rates, as well as the fallout from cost increases as a result of Labour’s autumn budget.
“The strength of our great movement is in our members and workplace reps, their solidarity and comradeship is really important to me,” Thomas continued.
“That is what inspires me to seek to negotiate and campaign for change to improve lives and get a better deal for workers. There are many challenges ahead for Usdaw and our members. I believe I can bring strong leadership and make a real difference in my new role.”
Lillis congratulated Thomas on her appointment: “She is a first-rate official and I couldn’t think of anyone better to lead our union and be a strong voice for our members. There are many difficult challenges ahead for the retail industry and our members are still being squeezed by the cost of living.
“The election of a Labour government is crucial to delivering the change we need on raising pay, improving employment rights to make work more secure, tackling the scourge of attacks on retail workers and delivering equality for all. I know Joanne will do a brilliant job as our new general secretary.”
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