Alasdair McDiarmid has been elected general secretary of Community, succeeding Roy Rickhuss after 13 years in the role.
The union announced the result on Monday following confirmation from its returning officer. McDiarmid received nominations from 235 branches across Community’s sectors and regions.
McDiarmid said he was determined to extend the union’s influence and ensure its members had a stronger voice in decisions about its campaigns and political work. He also pledged to give branch officials the resources and support they need.
He paid tribute to Rickhuss, with whom he has worked closely, highlighting Community’s membership growth and expansion into new sectors during his predecessor’s tenure.
Rickhuss said he was confident McDiarmid would take the union forward. The leadership change gives one of Labour’s affiliated unions a new voice as the party and government work with unions on jobs, industry and workers’ rights.
