John Sheldon (trade unionist)

John Sheldon OBE
Born	Leeds, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Union leader
Known for	former General Secretary, PCS, NUCPS, PTC and CSU

John Sheldon is a British trade unionist and former General Secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, and its predecessors; NUCPS, PTC and the CSU.

Early life

Sheldon was educated at West Leeds High School.^[1]

Career

John Sheldon presided over a period of successive public sector trade union mergers during the 1980s and 1990s.

John Sheldon was elected General Secretary of the Civil Service Union in 1982, following service as Deputy General Secretary.^[2] During this time Sheldon and the CSU were amongst those active in opposing the Thatcher Government ban on trade union membership at GCHQ and the subsequent legal challenge in 1984. Sheldon described the government's £1000 tax compensation for GCHQ workers as "Judas Money".^[3]

In 1988 he then oversaw the subsequent merger with the Society of Civil and Public Servants to form the National Union of Civil and Public Servants and served as its General Secretary between 1988–1996. When NUCPS merged with the IRSF in 1996 to form the Public Services, Tax and Commerce Union (PTC), Sheldon continued as Joint General Secretary along with the IRSF's Clive Brooke. During this period of service, Sheldon served for six years on the General Council of the TUC, standing down in 1998.^[4]

In yet another merger, in 1998, PTC joined with the Civil and Public Services Association to form the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). Sheldon continued as Joint General Secretary of PCS, alongside the CPSA's Barry Reamsbottom. Sheldon's right to continue to hold the position of General Secretary without election for more than five years was challenged under section 55 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 but the complaint was dismissed.^[5] Sheldon retired on his due date 31 July 2000, leaving Reamsbottom as sole General Secretary.^[6] That year Sheldon was awarded the OBE for his service to trades unionism.^[7]

Following retirement, Sheldon remained active in trade union affairs, and chaired the Civil Service Appeals Panel.^[8] In 2005, Sheldon was invited to lead several independent internal trade unions investigations on behalf of PCS, the FBU and ASLEF.^[9][10][8]

More recently, Sheldon attended a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the GCHQ campaign.^[11]

References

1. "A Pictorial History of West Leeds Boys' High School: Links and Press Cuttings". Retrieved 18 April 2013.
2. Arokiasamy, Clara (1 August 2009). "Black champion who is little known outside of book world". Retrieved 19 April 2013.
3. Dennis Canavan, 833 (22 February 1984). http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1984/feb/22/trade-union-membership-rights |chapter-url= missing title (help). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). UK: House of Commons.
4. "Trades Union Congress - Verbatim report of Congress 1998, Thursday 17th September session.:Votes of Thanks". Trades Union Congress. 17 September 1998. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
5. Whybrew, E. G. (16 March 2000). "Decision of the Certification Officer on an application made under section 55 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 in the matter of a complaint against the Public and Commercial Services Union" (PDF).
6. "Case No: HC 02CO1433 Neutral Citation Number: [2002] EWHC 1642 Ch In the High Court of Justice Chancery Division". 31 July 2002. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
7. "Knighthood for bank governor". BBC. 5 December 2000.
8. Tyson, Dave; Norman, Keith (28 July 2005). "Information For ASLEF Members". ASLEF. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
9. Gilchrist, Andy (16 March 2005). "Circular:2005HOC0186AG" (PDF). Retrieved 19 April 2013.
10. "LRD Publications". Labour Research. May 2005. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
11. Lezard, Tim (23 July 2012). ""I have no regrets" – GCHQ hero talks to UnionNews 15 years on from campaign win". Union-News.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2013.