Born in Fort William to an Irish Catholic mother and a Scottish father, who worked as a linesman for the General Post Office, Cameron attended Fort William Senior Secondary School until he was fifteen. His first job on leaving school was as a cadet in the Inverness-shire Constabulary, but he did not enjoy this and left to become a trainee reporter on the Aberdeen Press and Journal. This too was not a success; while covering the DrumnadrochitHighland Games, he was unable to work on his assignment. His friends tried to help out but mistakenly listed the girl who had won the egg-and-spoon race as having won the caber toss. Subsequently, while covering a swimming competition, he fell into the pool, disrupting the event, which led to him losing the job.[1] Cameron spent time as a labourer on a hydro-electric scheme, before moving to Birmingham to join the fire brigade.[1][2] While there, he developed an interest in horse racing, and became a supporter of Aston Villa F.C.[1]
Fire Brigades Unionedit
He joined the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), becoming a full-time official and then, in 1980, its general secretary.[2] His appointment was supported by his predecessor, Terry Parry, and also by Mick McGahey of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).[1] Known as a socialist, Cameron undertook much activity in support of Nelson Mandela and against apartheid in South Africa.[3] From 1981 to 1983, and again from 1991 until 1999, he served on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC),[4] He was a supporter of rights for the people of Palestine and in 1982, was the first person to propose a motion in support of Palestine at the TUC.[3] During the 1984/85 miners' strike, he campaigned in support of the miners and made a loan of £200,000 of FBU funds to the NUM.[2] While he used threats to strike to successfully maintain pay and conditions for members, under his leadership, the union never needed to mount a strike.[1] Cameron celebrated the Labour Party's general election win in 1997 but by 1999, Cameron was disillusioned with them, and he advocated that the FBU disaffiliate from Labour; this finally happened in 2004.[3]
cameron, trade, unionist, cameron, december, 1941, 2016, scottish, trade, unionist, head, fire, brigades, union, years, from, 1980, 2000, contents, early, life, fire, brigades, union, later, life, referencesearly, life, editborn, fort, william, irish, catholic. Ken Cameron 9 December 1941 16 May 2016 was a Scottish trade unionist He was the head of the Fire Brigades Union for 20 years from 1980 to 2000 Contents 1 Early life 2 Fire Brigades Union 3 Later life 4 ReferencesEarly life editBorn in Fort William to an Irish Catholic mother and a Scottish father who worked as a linesman for the General Post Office Cameron attended Fort William Senior Secondary School until he was fifteen His first job on leaving school was as a cadet in the Inverness shire Constabulary but he did not enjoy this and left to become a trainee reporter on the Aberdeen Press and Journal This too was not a success while covering the Drumnadrochit Highland Games he was unable to work on his assignment His friends tried to help out but mistakenly listed the girl who had won the egg and spoon race as having won the caber toss Subsequently while covering a swimming competition he fell into the pool disrupting the event which led to him losing the job 1 Cameron spent time as a labourer on a hydro electric scheme before moving to Birmingham to join the fire brigade 1 2 While there he developed an interest in horse racing and became a supporter of Aston Villa F C 1 Fire Brigades Union editHe joined the Fire Brigades Union FBU becoming a full time official and then in 1980 its general secretary 2 His appointment was supported by his predecessor Terry Parry and also by Mick McGahey of the National Union of Mineworkers NUM 1 Known as a socialist Cameron undertook much activity in support of Nelson Mandela and against apartheid in South Africa 3 From 1981 to 1983 and again from 1991 until 1999 he served on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress TUC 4 He was a supporter of rights for the people of Palestine and in 1982 was the first person to propose a motion in support of Palestine at the TUC 3 During the 1984 85 miners strike he campaigned in support of the miners and made a loan of 200 000 of FBU funds to the NUM 2 While he used threats to strike to successfully maintain pay and conditions for members under his leadership the union never needed to mount a strike 1 Cameron celebrated the Labour Party s general election win in 1997 but by 1999 Cameron was disillusioned with them and he advocated that the FBU disaffiliate from Labour this finally happened in 2004 3 Later life editHe retired from the FBU in 2000 serving as chair of the People s Press Printing Society publisher of the Morning Star and on the Central Arbitration Committee 2 and moved to Glasgow Cameron died at the age of 74 on 16 May 2016 1 References edit a b c d e f Obituary Ken Cameron tough union leader who played role in miners strike The Herald 20 May 2016 a b c d Paul Routledge Fire Brigades Union s colourful leader Ken Cameron was a socialist and a comrade The Mirror 17 May 2016 a b c Jon Stone Former Fire Brigades Union general secretary Ken Cameron dies The Independent 17 May 2016 Trades Union Congress Congress Report 2011 Trade union officesPreceded byTerry Parry General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union1980 2000 Succeeded byAndy Gilchrist Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ken Cameron trade unionist amp oldid 1094949153, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
