Leading Newcastle trade unionist gets MBE for services to lifelong learning and trade unions in the North East

Bernard McGill, unionlearn* Regional Manager, has been awarded an MBE in the the Queen's Birthday Honours List (13th June, 2009) for services to lifelong learning and to trade unions in the North East. Newcastle-based Bernard joined the TUC in 1999, with a brief to develop a network of union learning representatives in the region. Starting from scratch, he has been successful in working with trade unions and employers in the region to build up a cohort of almost 4,000 union learning reps across the North East. This network, supported by unionlearn, the TUC's learning and skills organisation, has helped tens of thousands of learners in workplaces such as Newcastle City Council, Cummins, Darlington, and Royal Mail in Middlesborough.

Although born in Cumbria, Bernard has lived all his life in Newcastle upon Tyne and worked at some of the North East's giants of manufacturing. He worked at Vickers and CA Parsons and at the age of 25 became a shop steward for the then Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (Amicus, now part of Unite) and went on to represent the union both regionally and nationally. For 20 years he was the full-time Convenor at Parsons and his high regional profile allowed him to lead and support campaigns for the maintenance and survival of the engineering and power manufacturing industries.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary said: 'I would like to congratulate Bernard on this achievement, which recognises all the hard work he has done to promote workplace learning and for unionlearn, the TUC, and the North East. Coming in a year when unionlearn has exceeded its target of 22,000 union learning reps, over a year early, this is another endorsement of the importance of trade unions' role in helping workers to achieve their learning aspirations.'

Following the announcement in the Queen's Honours, Bernard McGill , unionlearn Regional Manager said: 'I am absolutely delighted. This is an honour not just for me, but for unionlearn, its staff, union learning reps and trade unions. Knowing that I have helped workers in the region to change their lives through learning is reward enough, but being awarded an MBE is a wonderful surprise.'

Bernard McGill is available for interview on 07747 636 408.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

All unionlearn press releases can be found at www.unionlearn.org.uk

Media enquiries:
Wanda Wyporska T: 020 7079 6950 M: 07795 844728 E: wwyporska@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 13 Jun 2009

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