Thomas Jackson (9 April 1925 - 6 June 2003) was a British trade unionist and is best remembered as the General Secretary of the Union of Post Office Workers who led 200,000 members into a 47-day strike in 1971, the first national postal strike.
Jackson was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Aged 14 he began work for the GPO as a telegraph boy. He spent three years (1943–46) on wartime service in the Royal Navy. Upon his return he became a postman, and later a sorter, during which time he became involved in the affairs of the Union of Post Office Workers. He became a member of its executive council in 1955 and in 1964 was elected national officer. In 1967, he became General Secretary, a role he held until 1982.
Jackson married Norma Burrow in 1947 and had one daughter, Kim. In 1982 he divorced Burrow and married Kathleen Tognarelli in the same year, a marriage which produced another daughter.
After retirement from trade union activities, he ran a second-hand book business, specialising in recipe books. He died in Ilkley, West Yorkshire on 6 June 2003.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Ron Smith |
General Secretary of the Union of Communication Workers 1967-82 |
Succeeded by Alan Tuffin |
| Preceded by David Basnett |
President of the Trades Union Congress 1979 |
Succeeded by Terry Parry |