Trade union giant Campbell Christie dies at 74

TRADE union, business and political leaders across Scotland have united in paying tribute to Campbell Christie, the former general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), who has died at the age of 74.

First Minister Alex Salmond led those paying tribute yesterday to the STUC stalwart and devolution campaigner, describing him as a “giant of the trade union movement and public life”.

Mr Christie, who served as STUC general secretary from 1986 to 1998 and was also a former chairman of Falkirk Football Club, had been suffering from cancer and died at Strathcarron Hospice in Denny, after a short illness.

He led the Scottish trade union movement through one of the most turbulent periods in its history and played a leading role in the devolution movement as a key member of the Scottish Constitutional Convention.

Mr Salmond said: “Scotland has lost a giant of the trade union movement and of public life. Campbell was loved by many for his principles, his humour and his courage.

“He was a key figure in the campaign for a Scottish Parliament, a strong voice for democracy in the late 1980s and 1990s when civic Scotland led the movement for change.

“As leader of the STUC, he protected the interests of working people in tough times.

“He served Scotland to the end, his last public duty to lead the Christie commission into public sector reform, which he did with great wisdom and diligence. His advice in that report will live on to guide us in these new, difficult times.”

Grahame Smith, the current STUC general secretary, said Mr Christie had been “one of Scotland’s most outstanding trade union and civic leaders”.

“He led the Scottish TUC through the 1980s and 90s, some of the most challenging times for Scottish industry and Scottish workers, with tremendous skill and passion, gaining respect for himself and the STUC from across the industrial and political spectrum,” he said.

“Campbell was comfortable on the shop floor and in the boardroom. He was never afraid of taking the difficult decision, even if he knew it might upset others in the labour movement.

“He always saw the bigger picture. Whether it was the myriad of campaigns for jobs, in support of manufacturing or public services or in opposition to the poll tax, Campbell’s overwhelming objective was always to place the STUC and the unions at the heart of Scottish industrial and political life.”

Tributes were also paid by business leaders. Iain McMillan, the director of CBI Scotland, said: “Campbell gave much of his life to helping others and contributed greatly to public life in Scotland. He will be greatly missed.”

Mr Christie, who was awarded the CBE in 1997, was appointed president of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) two years ago.

Dr Lesley Sawers, the SCDI chief executive, said: “Campbell Christie was an outstanding ambassador for a successful, sustainable and equitable Scotland and has been an inspiring president for SCDI.

“Scotland has lost a great man who combined wisdom and integrity with a real passion for change.”

A minute’s silence will be observed at today’s game between Falkirk and Raith Rovers.