Durham police communications officer is new UNISON president

Gerry Gallagher, 54, a police communications officer with Durham Constabulary, has been elected President of the UK’s largest public service union, UNISON. This is the highest lay position in the union and Gerry will serve for one year. He has been a UNISON member since 1974, and was first elected to the union’s ruling National Executive Council in 2000.

Gerry was born and raised in Ferryhill, County Durham and went to nearby St John's comprehensive secondary school in Bishop Auckland. He studied as a radio officer in the Merchant Navy for three years at a marine college in the Lake District. Sticking to his roots, Gerry now lives in Toft Hill.

In June 1974, he took up his first job at the Durham Constabulary, working in communications. After his first day at the job, his trade union 'orientated' parents instantly asked if there was a trade union and whether or not he had joined; he became a member of the National and Local Government Officers Association (NALGO) the next day. NALGO was later merged with NUPE and COHSE to form UNISON in 1993.

Gerry became active in the union in 1988 becoming the Durham police members’ branch secretary two years later.

During his Presidential year, Gerry wants to:

“Campaign to build awareness of the devastation that domestic violence can cause to families, particularly children.”

He adds that in all his time as a union activist, he has believed that:



“The members and their needs have to come first. We could not do all the other great work this union does without them. I hope my term as President will mean that I can meet many of our members and show them they have national support in whatever sector they are employed. There is a tough year ahead with the spotlight shining very firmly on the public sector and public sector workers”.

He is proud of having helped set up UNISON’s police staff service group and looks forward to its continued growth in the future.

A keen spectator of sport Gerry follows the fortunes of– Middlesbrough F.C. as well as taking an interest in Durham County Cricket.