Dean Cox has today been confirmed as the new President of Community.
A former Kidderminster carpet worker, Dean is a Community branch secretary in the West Midlands. He is a longstanding activist and roving rep for Community, supporting many individual members in his area at disciplinary and grievance meetings. Dean is also a serving Parish Councillor for Wolvery and Cookly Parish Council. He served as Community Vice President from 2020.
Speaking today, Dean said:
“It is my immense honour to be named Community president. After having served as Vice President, I have seen first-hand the incredibly important work that Community reps and members across the country have undertaken to protect pay and working conditions, particularly during the pandemic. At times, the odds were stacked against us. Yet by standing together, we still managed to succeed. We beat fire-and-rehire at Clarks, we secured pay increases for our members during the current cost-of-living crisis, we protected the steel safeguards, the list goes on and on. The challenges ahead may seem starker still, but I look forward to meeting them and more with you all as your President.”
We spoke to our new President to learn a bit more about him, and what he hopes for the future.
Hi Dean. Congratulations on being elected as Community President! When did you first join the union?
In 1986, I joined the Power Loom Carpet Weavers’ and Textile Workers’ Union, which merged with what we now know as Community in 2000.
It’s a difficult time for many workers at the moment. What are you hoping to achieve over the next year as President?
I’m hoping to support each region, to grow membership in our traditional industries and new sectors and work towards building an education project where we can go into schools and colleges and tell the workers off the future the good unions can do in their potential work places.
What is one of your favourite trade union memories?
That would definitely be going to Sheffield and taking part in the Save Our Steel march.
Alive or dead, who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party at your home?
Tony Barton, who managed Aston Villa to our European Cup victory in 1982; Nelson Mandela; and my dad, who was a massive inspiration to me and the reason I joined a trade union.
What would you say to someone who wasn’t in a trade union but was thinking about joining one?
I would say that joining the right union will be the best insurance policy you will ever have. They will always stand with you in the workplace, and you just never know when you might need them.
If you are a member of Community and need help or advice, please contact us at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024