Now -read the book!

Here is a link to my memoirs which, if you are a glutton for punishment, you can purchase online at https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/an-obscure-footnote-in-trade-union-history.
Men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name. (William Morris - A Dream of John Ball)

Tuesday, October 03, 2017

Farewell Rodney

I have today received the following message as a UNISON member.
Sadly, Rodney Bickerstaffe – former General Secretary of both UNISON and NUPE – died today, Tuesday 3 October 2017.

Rodney, or Bick as he was known to many, was a great personal friend to many of us and a dedicated champion of all the union members he proudly represented throughout his career. He coupled a great sense of humour and love of laughter with a deep-rooted sense of social justice and commitment to UNISON.

Our thoughts are with Rodney’s family, especially his wife Pat who was an ever present support to him in all his work and was the love of his life.

At the time of Rodney’s death it is worth reflecting on his response during the Winter of Discontent to the question “what about the dignity of the dead?”, Rodney replied ‘“what about the dignity of the living?’ We at UNISON hold this truth close – and we will continue Rodney’s fight to ensure dignity for our members, our families and all in our communities.

When asked what he believed his greatest achievements were, he would respond: the National Minimum Wage and the creation of UNISON. I’m sure many of us recall the powerful speeches and advocacy he provided to deliver these goals. Rodney was at his best when he was fighting for the causes he believed in, and our movement has today lost one of the greatest campaigners and orators of his generation.

Everyone involved in our union will share in the grief felt at Rodney’s passing. He was a friend, a comrade and a leader, and thanks to his work the lives of countless people have been changed for the better.

A private family funeral will be held for Rodney, and his family have requested no flowers but for any donations to be made to either Marie Curie or the International Brigade Memorial Trust.

Please send any cards or letters to Jasmin Johnson, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London NW1 2AY (j.johnson@unison.co.uk).

UNISON will organise a memorial event for Rodney at which we can celebrate his life, humour and comradeship.

Rodney was the very best of us, a true giant of our movement and we will all miss him greatly.

Donations to commemorate Rodney can be made to two charities he held particularly dear:
I knew Rodney because he was my trade union General Secretary when I was his Labour Party Branch Secretary. Rodney and his car were a memorable feature of election days in Hither Green back in the day.

I would not claim always to have agreed with Rodney within the trade union. However he well deserved the respect in which I and others held him.

Members of Lambeth UNISON who were involved at the time will particularly remember Rodney’s firm support for the Onibiyo Family Anti-Deportation Campaign which was one dimension of his commitment to the struggle for equality and against injustice.

He will be missed.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...


A decent man.
I first met him at a Peoples March for Jobs rally in Hyde Park (1984?)
I last met him at a fundraiser for Michael Meacher (another socialist fighter) about three years ago. His commitment was as strong as ever.
"We need to fight for our people as well Mrs Thatcher fights for hers" was one of his repeated remarks.
He will be missed.
Your usual anonymous friend.