Tim Roache
Tim Roache (born 1961 or 1962) is a British trade unionist. He is General Secretary of the GMB union.
Roache grew up in London, where his father was a shop steward on the docks. In 1979, he began working for in the postroom of the GMB, over time being promoted to become a legal officer, then an organiser, and finally in 2007 as the union's regional officer for Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.[1]
In 2009, Roache led a 13-week strike of refuse workers and street cleaners employed by Leeds City Council; this was the longest strike in the GMB's history.[2] He also ran the "End Foul Play" campaign for football clubs to pay ground staff higher wages.[3]
Roache was elected as General Secretary and Treasurer of the GMB in November 2015, receiving 56.7% of the vote on a turnout of 4.2%, beating the one other candidate, Paul McCartney.[4] Roache took up the post in 2016.[2]
Alongside his role in the GMB, Roache is the chair of the Centre for Labour and Social Studies and also of the Yorkshire and Humber Trades Union Congress.[3] He was reported to be supportive of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership of the Labour Party and has criticised the 2015 Labour manifesto, drawn up under Ed Miliband.[5]
In his spare time, Roache supports Arsenal F.C. and coaches his local football team, Kippax Juniors.[1]
References
- 1 2 Roache, Tim (12 December 2015). "Leading From The Front". Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- 1 2 "Tim Roache elected new head of GMB". BBC News. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- 1 2 "GMB: Campaigner Roache Aims For The Top Job". Morning Star. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- ↑ Private Eye. London: Pressdram Ltd. 5 August 2016. Missing or empty
|title=(help); - ↑ Simons, Ned (29 September 2015). "Union Official Tim Roache Slams 'Bullsh**t' Labour 2015 Manifesto, Tells Mandelson He Isn't Wanted". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Paul Kenny |
General Secretary of the GMB 2016–present |
Succeeded by incumbent |