Clive Royston, a proud steelworker and longstanding member of Community’s National Executive Council, passed away on the 19th of December, having bravely battled against cancer.
Clive started work at the Stocksbridge steelworks, now owned by Liberty Steel, back in 1978, following in the footsteps of his Grandad. Clive’s son now works at Stocksbridge, so the family tradition continues, and no one could be prouder of their industry and its heritage than was Clive.
Stocksbridge makes high quality steels for the aerospace, energy and defence sectors, but over the last two years it’s faced an uncertain outlook. Clive was at the forefront of our campaign to secure the future of Stockbridge, and the many hundreds of jobs that depend on the steelworks, and right to the end he fought tirelessly for his members and his community.
Clive was elected as Works Representative of Liberty Stocksbridge 03 in March 2010 before becoming Branch Secretary in March 2011. Clive was first elected to the union’s National Executive Council in August 2016, and since 2016 he was also Chair of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Speciality Steels & Bright Bar.
On the 6th of December Community’s General Secretary, Roy Rickhuss CBE, presented Clive with a ‘Steel Man’, the highest award the union can bestow, in recognition of his “outstanding service to Community, the steel industry and Stocksbridge”.
Everyone at Community is extremely proud of Clive, who was a true stalwart of our union for so many years. The courage he showed in continuing to lead his members with such distinction, at the same time as fighting his terrible illness, was truly remarkable.
Clive was a one-off, and we will miss him. He is survived by his wife Jan, 9 children and 13 grandchildren.
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