Joseph Crawford (trade unionist)

Joseph Crawford (born 1910) was a British trade unionist.

Crawford grew up in Annfield Plain in County Durham, where he attended the local school,^[1] then began working as a coal miner at the age of fourteen. 15 years later, he was promoted to become a deputy, and joined the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (NACODS). He became increasingly active in the union, as secretary of his local branch, then as general secretary of its Durham area and a member of the National Council. In 1953, he was elected as the union's vice president, then in 1956 he became its president, and finally in 1960 he was elected as general secretary of the national union.^[2]

As leader of the union, Crawford represented it at the Trades Union Congress (TUC), and he served on its General Council. In 1972/73, he was the President of the TUC.^[1] He retired from his trade union posts later that year.

In his spare time, Crawford also served on the Mining Qualifications Board, as a governor of Ruskin College, the United World College of the Atlantic and Welbeck College, and was a member of the council of St George's House (Windsor Castle).^[1] He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1971 Birthday Honours.^[1]

References