John Cliff (trade unionist)
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John Cliff | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chairman, London Transport Executive | |
| In office 1948–1955 | |
| Assistant General Secretary, Transport and General Workers' Union | |
| In office 1924–1935 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 March 1883 Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 18 October 1977 (aged 94) Eastbourne, Sussex, England |
| Occupation | Tram conductor and motorman, trade unionist |
John Cliff DL (7 March 1883 – 18 October 1977) was a tram conductor and motorman, and an active trade unionist. He played a significant role in negotiations to improve pay and working conditions in the tram industry as well as the wider public transport sector. He was the first assistant general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union. He later served on several transport-related bodies, notably the London Passenger Transport Board and its successor, the London Transport Executive. He was also a member of the London County Council.
Union activities
Early in his career, Cliff became active in trade union affairs. He joined the Amalgamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle Workers and later became the chairman of its Leeds branch and a member of its national executive council. He played a prominent role in national negotiations for a 48-hour week for tram workers, an "equal pay for equal work" agreement and the setting up of a national enquiry into tram workers' pay and conditions.[1]
In 1919, the union merged with the London and Provincial Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers to form the United Vehicle Workers. Cliff was appointed the secretary of its passenger services national trade group, representing workers in the public transport sector throughout the country. In the same year, he was appointed joint secretary of the newly-formed Joint Industrial Council for the Tramways Industry of England and Wales.[1][2]
In 1922, the United Vehicle Workers was one of fourteen unions (with a combined membership of 350,000) that merged to form the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), with Ernest Bevin as its first general secretary.[3] Cliff was appointed national secretary of its passenger transport group. In 1924, he became the union's assistant general secretary and Bevin's deputy.[1]