TRIBUTES to “a true friend and comrade” were paid to veteran trade unionist Andy Kerr today following his death after a period of illness.

The CWU’s former deputy general secretary of telecoms & financial services (T&FS) died on Tuesday night.

A joint statement paying tribute has been issued by the union’s general secretary Dave Ward, senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns, deputy general secretary (T&FS) Karen Rose and deputy general secretary (postal) Martin Walsh.