We use cookies to ensure that we can give you the best user experience. By continuing to use our website you are consenting to their use. Find out more.

What language do you need?

John Hannett retires today as leader of the shopworkers' trade union Usdaw

Date: 29 June 2018 Shopworkers’ trade union leader John Hannett retires today as General Secretary of Usdaw. He is succeeded by Paddy Lillis, the former Deputy General Secretary.
John Hannett has been Usdaw’s General Secretary since May 2004, having served as Deputy General Secretary for seven years. In his time at the head of the union, he has overseen an unprecedented and unmatched 50% increase in membership during a period when trade union membership generally has been in decline. This was achieved through recruitment not merger, with John Hannett putting organising and campaigning at the core of Usdaw.

John Hannett says: “I am proud to have served the union in many roles during my 43 years membership. Usdaw’s members, activists and reps not only gave me the opportunity to lead the union, but enthusiastically supported everything we are trying to achieve. I am very proud of the work our reps have done to make Usdaw a growing and campaigning union.

“I am confident that under the leadership of Paddy Lillis the union will go from strength to strength. I would like to take this opportunity to thank members, reps and union colleagues for all the support they have given me over the years.”

John Hannett served on the Trade Union Congress General Council and Executive Committee, Low Pay Commission representing employees, the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee and the national committee of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO), the ACAS Council and as President of UNI Europa Commerce.

Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with around 430,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 28% over the decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion
 

Share this page

Free prize draw

Enter our free prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop Gift Voucher courtesy of Usdaw Protect.

The official website of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers