Terence ParryCBE (24 December 1921 – 15 April 1982)[1] was aBritishfirefighter andtrade unionist.
Born inConiston, Lancashire, Parry started work for theBlue Funnel Line at the age of fifteen. He served in theRoyal Navy in the Pacific duringWorld War II, and joined theFire Service inBirmingham as soon as he was demobbed.[2]
Parry rapidly became active in theFire Brigades Union, and was elected as its President in 1959.[3] In 1964, he beatEnoch Humphries by 2,000 votes to become General Secretary of the union. Humphries was subsequently elected as his replacement as President, and the two worked closely together, arguing successfully that firefighters should take on fire prevention inspections in place of cleaning work.[4]
Parry led the union through a two-month strike in late 1977 and early 1978. This ended with the strikers accepting a settlement well below their demands, and only in line with other public sector employees.[5]
Parry was elected to the General Council of theTrades Union Congress (TUC) in 1968, serving until his retirement in 1981. In 1980, he wasPresident of the TUC. He also served on theHealth and Safety Commission,[3] and joined theBroadcasting Complaints Commission on retirement from his union duties.[6] However, he died the following year, his funeral service being conducted at his own request byBruce Kent, even though the two had never met.[7] He appointed a CBE in the1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours.
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Burns | President of theFire Brigades Union 1959–1964 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | General Secretary of theFire Brigades Union 1964–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of the Trades Union Congress 1980 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by ? | Chairman of the Trades Councils' Joint Consultative Committee 1979–1981 | Succeeded by |