LTB 219/26 - FORMER NEC AND POSTAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER – BILL STEEL

No. 219/26

To:   All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

FORMER NEC AND POSTAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER – BILL STEEL

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our friend and colleague Bill Steel following a long and courageous battle against a serious illness.

Bill joined the old GPO and one of our predecessor unions, the POEU, in 1976.  He held his first union position as a committee member of the Edinburgh Motor Transport Branch in 1977.  He went on to hold numerous positions within the union including Branch Secretary, a role he held for 24 years until 2003.

In 1992 Bill also become a Technical Services Divisional Representative, a position he held for 11 years.

Bill was elected to the National Executive Council in 2002 and to the Postal Executive Council in 2007 and served until his retirement in 2015.  He subsequently became a very well-deserved recipient of the CWU’s National Honorary Membership award and Gold Badge.

Bill will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and will be remembered as a great trade unionist who stood up for his members with passion and determination. 

He was never afraid to put forward his views, gaining a strong reputation amongst his peers as someone who would always ‘tell it as it is’, offering support, advice and solutions to the National Officers he worked with.

On a personal note, I will always remember Bill for his friendship, great sense of humour and the sound advice he offered in difficult moments. 

On behalf of the whole of the CWU we offer our sincere condolences to Bill’s wife, Diana and all the family.

We will advise branches on the details of his funeral in due course. RIP Bill.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

GENERAL SECRETARY

26LTB219 FORMER NEC AND POSTAL EXECUTIVE MEMBER BILL STEEL