Paul Nowak (trade unionist)
Paul Nowak | |
|---|---|
Nowak in 2022 | |
| General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress | |
| Assumed office 29 December 2022 | |
| Deputy | Kate Bell |
| Preceded by | The Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway |
| Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress | |
| In office 2016 – 29 December 2022 | |
| General Secretary | Baroness O'Grady of Upper Holloway |
| Preceded by | Frances O'Grady (2013) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 1972 (age 53) Bebington, England |
| From 2013 to 2016, Nowak held the position of Assistant General Secretary. | |
Paul Nowak (born May 1972) is a British trade unionist. He has been the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) since 29 December 2022.[1] He was previously the deputy general secretary of the TUC.
Early life
Born in Bebington, Merseyside,[2] Nowak first joined a trade union at age 17 when he had a part-time job at Asda. He subsequently became an activist in the Communication Workers Union. He became Vice President of the Wirral Trades Union Council at the age of 19 – the youngest person to hold the post.
Trades Union Congress
He began working for the TUC in 2000. In 2013 he was named TUC Assistant General Secretary, and in 2016 Deputy General Secretary.[3]
He is credited with ensuring that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) guidance for safe working during the pandemic was significantly stronger than that first proposed by ministers. He supported the then TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady in securing the Job Retention Scheme.
In July 2022, the TUC announced Nowak as its next General Secretary, taking office in January 2023.[4] As leader of the TUC, Nowak advocates for "the closest possible economic and political relationship with the European Union", including rejoining the EU Customs Union.[5]
Personal life
Nowak is a lifelong supporter of Everton Football Club. He and his wife, Vicky, have three children.[6]
References
- ^ "Strikes: Ministers refusing to negotiate on pay, says union body". 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Wynne Jones, Ros (1 September 2022). "TUC's new chief says 'my life has been to grow unions, we fight every day for workers'". Daily Mirror.
- ^ "Paul Nowak". www.tuc.org.uk.
- ^ "Paul Nowak to be TUC's next general secretary". www.tuc.org.uk. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ "Don't rule out EU customs union, TUC boss Nowak tells Starmer". BBC News. 27 December 2025. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
- ^ Partington, Richard (12 July 2022). "TUC names ex-call centre worker Paul Nowak next general secretary". The Guardian.