Labour Research August 2005

Union news

Norman wins ASLEF election

Members of the 15,000-strong train drivers' union, ASLEF, have elected Keith Norman as their new general secretary. He had been acting general secretary since the dismissal of his predecessor, Shaun Brady, last year.

Norman won the run-off election between the two candidates who topped the first round of polling in June. He received 3,631 votes to 2,674 for union trustee Clive Jones in a turnout of around 40%.

Norman is a long-standing member of the Labour Party which he says he supports "loyally but not slavishly".

He says his priority is to reform ASLEF's organisation and communications, "creating a climate where change is embraced rather than resisted."