Meet the Officers.
Profiles of all our Officers are found below :
Geoff Bagnall - General Secretary
My name is Geoff Bagnall. I
started to work in the ceramics industry in 1974 at Crown Staffordshire China
which was part of the Wedgwood group.
Upon commencing work I immediately became active within
Unity,
attending my branch meetings and completing the various courses that were on
offer at the time. I became
the official union representative for about 3 years.
I left Crown Staffordshire China and started work at Royal
Doulton. Although I was no longer the Trade Union Representative I remained an
active member of the Union.
After a relatively short period of time I once again
became the Union Representative.
I was elected to full time officer in 1981 and elected to the
position of General Secretary
in 1996.
(send
me an email)
Garry Oakes - Assistant General
Secretary
My name is Garry Oakes. I
was elected in 1985 to the position of Organiser.
In 1995 I was elected to the position of Assistant General
Secretary which I still hold.
I have over the past 20 years dealt with many
individual problems as well as
collective grievances.
I have sat as a member of the Ceramic Joint Council for 18
years and have been the
Joint Secretary for the past 14 years.
Part of my current duties are the links between the Union and
the Labour Party both locally and national, overseeing the operation of the
Ceramic Resource Centre and
the North Staffs Workforce Development Fund.
The day to day running of the Unions legal operation and most
recently our new membership and recruitment campaign.
(send me
an email)
Harry Hockaday - Benefits Officer
As well as the day to day employment issues, I have responsibility as the
Benefits
Officer, offering help and assistance to members concerning a range of
various
benefits. e.g. Statutory Sick, Incapacity, Income Support and various
Disability Rights.
(send
me an email)
John Huson - Pensions Officer
My name is John Huson and I have
been a Divisional Officer for 17 years.
My responsibilities are representing
members on contractual changes to their
Terms and Conditions of employment, pay
negotiations, disciplinary procedures
and grievance procedures at their place of
employment.
I have special responsibility for Pensions and use my knowledge to assist members in understanding information they receive from their Pension Provider.
I am also treasurer to the Unions Welfare Society.
(send me
an email)