Merseyside trade unionist Paul Nowak has been appointed as the new Head of Organisation and Services at the TUC.

Paul has been at the TUC for 11 years. He was one of the first intake of the TUC’s Organising Academy in 1998, and prior to this had been an active member of unions including the GMB, UNISON and CWU.

In April 2000 Paul was appointed Regional Secretary of the Northern TUC where he was responsible for the TUC’s work in the North East and Cumbria.

In 2002 Paul was appointed to lead the TUC’s work on organising and recruitment, which included the development of the TUC Organising Academy.

Commenting on his appointment Paul Nowak said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of this role. It’s a difficult time for unions as many traditionally unionised industries have been hit hard by the recession, affecting membership.

“Growing up on Merseyside during the 1980s and 1990s, I remember all too well the wider impact of difficult economic times – divided communities, a generation lost to the dole queue, industrial strife and economic melt-down.

“That’s why the TUC is backing the Government’s efforts to invest in young workers through the Future Jobs Fund, to invest in new green jobs and technology and to increase the number of apprentices.

“All important initiatives, but we believe that Government, employers and unions themselves can and must do more. Now is the time to make the positive case for public services and to recognise the role that unions can play in making Britain a fairer and more successful place to live.

“Unions have a challenge to work harder and more creatively to build our membership. Over six million people belong to TUC unions, but we want to spread our message wider and to reach out to everyone at work.”

Everton FC fan Paul replaces Tom Wilson, who was recently appointed as the Director of unionlearn – the education and learning arm of the TUC. Paul grew up on the Wirral and attended Liverpool John Moores University in the early 1990s.

Paul lives on the Wirral and is married to Vicky. They have three young children.

11 September 2009