Billy Parry, chairperson of Unite’s national industrial sector committee for construction pays tribute to the late GEORGE GUY

The North West region of the construction section of Unite has received many tributes from building workers throughout the country following the news of the passing of George Guy earlier this month.

George was the former North West regional secretary of the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt). A quiet but resolute leader, an inspiration and friend whose door was always open.

He spoke of former leaders of the movement on Merseyside as being great mentors but never would he have put himself in that category.

He was a very humble and unassuming man who had the courage, determination and skills to take the position of general secretary pro tem in 2011-12 when Ucatt needed a firm and steady hand on the wheel.

George, along with friends and colleagues, worked together for many years and steered Ucatt into a safe harbour, ensuring its survival.

To this day, after merging with Unite in 2016, we keep the identity they worked so hard to maintain. We are still Ucatt but within Unite, and George was proud of that.

George and I shared two attributes. We were both time-served joiners, George doing his apprenticeship at Cammell Laird shipbuilders in the 1960s. He was also a red — a lifelong Liverpool supporter.

Some of the accolades we have received included, “solid and dependable,” “sincere and authentic,” “one of life’s gentlemen and true socialist,” “pillar of support” and of having “working-class interests and integrity,” “no-one outsmarted George Guy.” These tributes all display the respect construction workers had for him.

I know from my own personal dealings with him just how much he helped workers along the way. George could encourage and instil belief in working people. He could build confidence and support. And, in his own way, he could pull you up if you needed it. Then, all would be forgotten and back to business as usual … but you knew you’d been told.

A socialist, a teacher, a man you could rely on. We in the North West and the entire construction union movement have lost an inspirational leader, who has taken his place amongst the legends of our movement that he spoke so fondly of.

Kenny Routledge, secretary of UD 088 Everton Construction branch of Unite writes:

I first met George about 1982 in a Liverpool council housing maintenance depot, where he was the senior steward.

I had been told by some mutual friends that he was a great trade union organiser. I observed George and listened to others give their impression of him. Overwhelmingly it was favourable.

He had a demeanour about him of quiet confidence and when he spoke to members he was clear and authoritative, without coming across as arrogant.

George was a very well-organised person. Even though his union office in the council depot was small, everything had a place and everything was in its place.

George was a committed trade unionist. He set up weekly collections for the miners who were just starting out in their long strike in 1984-85. Through a majority vote at a depot meeting, he succeeded in getting everyone to contribute, including a couple of people who were against the strike.

He was always approachable and honest with members. He stressed that, as well as being trade unionists seeking decent pay and conditions, we were also public servants doing a job for the tenants of Liverpool City Council and should take the utmost pride in our work.

After working with George for a while I came to the conclusion that he had the ability to be the general secretary of Ucatt. He was clever and very sharp. He was trustworthy and if he gave you his word he kept it.

He was loyal to the members and always told them the truth, even if not always appreciated by them at the time. He never suffered fools but was always available for members.

My over-riding view of George Guy is that, honestly, I would’ve put my life in his hands, knowing that he would always do his very best to help me.

George was responsible for persuading Liverpool Council to retain the stone monument of The Hod Carrier which had stood in Gerard Garden tenements until they were demolished in 1987.

The monument was relocated to a special setting opposite Unite’s North West regional office, where we gather each year for Workers’ Memorial Day.

George was the best general secretary that Ucatt never had.

Eileen Turnbull for the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign writes:

We were saddened to hear the news that George had passed away. He was an indefatigable supporter of our campaign to overturn the convictions of the North Wales building workers who were prosecuted for picketing following the 1972 national strike. They became known as the Shrewsbury 24.

At Ucatt’s 2014 conference in Llandudno, George was instrumental in influencing delegates to support the Official Shrewsbury 24 Campaign. This led to widespread backing from Ucatt branches throughout the country and from there to the wider trade union movement, which was critical to our eventual success.

Ucatt remained steadfast in its support for the pickets and we received many messages of congratulations from Ucatt members and branches when we succeeded in getting the convictions overturned in 2021.

George was a principled and honest trade unionist and it was our privilege to have known him.