Jack Jones: 'A union man through and through'

(22/04/09) Jack Jones, "a union man through and through", died on Tuesday and was remembered today by his friends and colleagues throughout the labour movement.UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "Jack Jones was a union man through and through."Anyone who knew him will have been impressed by his unending spirit, drive and determination, whether it was leading the dockers, fighting in the Spanish civil war or battling to improve the lot of pensioners."And Mr Prentis noted: "He made a difference to millions of people's lives and was an example to us all. On behalf of UNISON, I offer sincere sympathy to his family and friends."The former general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union had started his working life as a docker in Liverpool. He was politically active from his teens, becoming a Labour Party ward secretary at 15, and at 23, the youngest member of Liverpool City Council.Mr Jones was a member of the International Brigades, and fought in the Spanish Civil War.When Mr Jones retired as general secretary of the TGWU in 1979, he founded the National Pensioners Convention, working to champion older people's rights.He stood down as its president in 2001, and was succeeded by former UNISON general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe.Mr Bickerstaffe said: "Jack's signature tune was Keep right on to the end of the road – and that's exactly what he did throughout his long life."He leaves behind a tremendous legacy for ordinary working people that is second to none."Above all, he was a champion of the underdog, because he never forgot that he was born into poverty and worked hard to improve – not only his own situation – but that of the people around him. Those struggling against injustice, both here and abroad, have today lost a great friend and ally."