Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis is to retire after 35 years with the shopworkers trade union.
Lillis will bring an end to his seven-year stint at the union’s helm in July, along with Usdaw deputy general secretary Dave McCrossen, who is also retiring.
The union intends to announce a timetable for elections to appoint their successors, within the “next few days”.
It marks the end of nearly four decades of service for Lillis, who joined Usdaw as a member while working as a driver for Abbey Meat Packers in Newtownabbey, County Antrim. After spells as an area organiser and divisional officer across the south west and Wales, he spent 14 years as deputy general secretary, before he was elected general secretary in 2018.
During that time he has overseen the launch of high-profile campaigns including Usdaw’s retail recovery plan, as well as the new deal for workers campaign in the wake of Covid-19. He led the union’s negotiations with retailers, the BRC and government.
“It has been a real privilege to serve Usdaw over the years and I feel proud of what we have achieved together,” Lillis said.
“My time as general secretary has brought many challenges, but I will be retiring with the union in very good shape financially and with growing membership,” he said.
Lillis continued: “The union has campaigned tirelessly for many years for increased protection for retail workers and stronger rights at work, and I will be leaving at a time when the Labour government will be delivering on some of our campaigns.”
McCrossen has worked with Lillis since joining Usdaw from the Co-operative Retail Society in 1989. He was elected as deputy general secretary in 2018 and has been responsible for organising the union’s organising agenda.
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