One of the great joys of being a lifelong trade unionist is the people you meet and the comrades you fight alongside.
One of the great difficulties of a life in a trade union is losing special people when they pass away.
Donald Williamson – who served as District Organisation Officer of NALGO North East until the mid-eighties – was special, and widely respected across our union. An incisive negotiator, a proud Scot and a champion of working class causes, Donald’s sharp wit was both an asset in his work and a joy for his friends.
I always kept in touch with Donald and we often shared stories of his days in the North East. In recent years Donald was proud to serve on the ACTS branch committee as Retired members officer, doing so with enthusiasm and his customary efficiency.
Donald represented the very best of our union. Fighting spirit. Determination to get the best for those we represent. And the will to change the world one day at a time.
He will be greatly missed by us all.