MEMORANDUM

To:	All Amicus Officers and Staff	From:	Roger Lyons
cc:
Ref:	RL/mwb	Date:	28 June, 2004

Retirement

Dear Colleagues,

Last year, after the Rules Conference, I advised the MSF and Amicus Executives, as well as officers and staff, that as I was to be nominated as TUC President in September 2003 and I would be retiring in 2004.  This will now take place on 30^th June 2004.

It’s been my privilege to work with a wonderful set of members and colleagues, since I first became an officer with ASSET, which in 1966 had 36,000 members.  Today, we have, together, created Amicus, with over a million members [click here for Lyons' record on membership], already merging with UNIFI, and with GPMU and others hopefully on the way.

I firmly believe Amicus will develop its own culture and democracy, taking fully into account the contribution of the founding unions, and our shared commitment to a progressive campaigning union, with sectoral autonomy, and democratic lay control at all levels.  And I know Amicus will be maintaining a commitment to internationalism, with real solidarity with colleagues around the world, struggling against repression, or racism at home and abroad.

Now, as TUC President, I lead the movement in facing up to the many challenges, whether in industrial relations, in tackling the agenda constructively with our Labour Government, in winning over young people at work, and promoting the needs and interests of working people and their families.

This TUC role, and the 38 years I have served the union and its predecessors would not have been possible without the support and advice of so many colleagues over the years.  I wish to express my gratitude for all the comradeship, and wish you and Amicus all the very best for the future.

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