General Secretary of the TUC - Definition

The General Secretary of the TUC is the chief permanent officer of the Trades Union Congress, and a major figurehead in the trade union movement in the United Kingdom.

The Secretary is responsible for the effective operation of the TUC and for leading implementation of policies set by the annual Congress and the organisation's General Council. He also serves as the TUC's chief representative, both with the public and with other organisations.

The position was formed in 1921, when the Parliamentary Committee of the TUC became the General Council. The position of Secretary has been a permanent, full-time position in the TUC since 1904. Before that, the Secretary was elected annually at Congress.

General Secretaries of the TUC

• Brendon Barber (2003- )
• John Monks (1993-2003)
• Norman Willis (1984-1993)
• Len Murray (1973-1984)
• Vic Feather (1969-1973)
• George Woodcock (1960-1969)
• Sir Vincent Tewson (1946-1960)
• Sir Walter Citrine (1926-1946)
• Fred Bramley (1923-1926)
• C. W. Bowerman (1921-1923)

Secretaries of the Parliamentary Committee of the TUC

• C. W. Bowerman (1911-1921)
• W. C. Steadman (1905-1911)
• Sam Woods (1894-1905)
• Charles Fenwick (1890-1894)
• Henry Broadhurst (1886-1890)
• George Shipton (1885-1886)
• Henry Broadhurst (1876-1885)
• George Howell (1873-1876)
• George Odger (1872-1873)
• George Potter (1869-1872)
• W. H. Wood (1868-1869)