Edward Haigh (7 November 1935 – 17 February 2016) was aBritishtrade unionist.
Haigh grew up inBirstall, then in theWest Riding of Yorkshire, and was educated at St Mary's Roman Catholic School inBatley. He became a carpet weaver in 1956, and joined theNational Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers (NUDBTW). He was chosen as ashop steward four years later, then, in 1969, became a full-time district organiser for the union.[1]
In 1973, Haigh became a district secretary for the NUDBTW, and in 1977, he was appointed as its National Organiser, also leading on negotiations on pay and conditions for members. In 1979, he was elected as the union's Assistant General Secretary, but the NUDBTW decided to merge into theTransport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) in 1982. He was appointed as secretary of the TGWU's new dyers, bleacher and textile workers group,[1] and was also elected to theGeneral Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), although he served only one year before it was reorganised. The TUC decided that the textile workers could no longer be represented separately from the rest of the TGWU, and Haigh therefore left the council.[2]
From 1982 until 1991, Haigh served on theNational Executive Committee of theLabour Party.[1] He was loosely associated with the party's left wing, although he voted for the expulsion of the committee ofMilitant.[3] He chaired the party's important Finance and General Purposes Committee from 1986,[4] In 1992, he chaired the party's annual conference.[5]
In 1985, Haigh was appointed as Assistant General Secretary of the TGWU, serving until he took early retirement, in 1991.[1][6]
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Textiles Group member of theGeneral Council of the Trades Union Congress 1982–1983 | Succeeded by Council reorganised |
| Preceded by New position | Secretary of the Textiles Group of theTransport and General Workers' Union 1982–1985 | Succeeded by Peter Booth |
| Preceded by Position vacant | Assistant General Secretary of theTransport and General Workers' Union 1985–1991 With:Larry Smith (1985–1988) | Succeeded by Position vacant? |