Eric "Ginger" Evans - TGWU Union - EMI Hayes

Eric "Ginger" Evans was a leading member of the Transport & General Workers Union at EMI in the 1960's, 70's and 80's (TGWU 1/690) working in the Packing Department at Blyth Road, Hayes, West Middlesex for over thirty years.

At one point Eric Evans was a member of the TGWU National Executive Committee, and was a regular delegate to TGWU conference.


He was presented with a TGWU "Gold badge" the highest union award (circa 1986 or 87) by TGWU General Secretary Rod Todd.

He was a patient at Hayes Cottage Hospital during the period of it's occupation by staff in late 1983.

Eric Evans lived at 43 Judge Heath Lane (Belmore Ward)

A Labour party member, Eric was generally on the left and opponent of Hayes right wing MP's Skeffington and Sandleson, he also opposed the local right wing Labour run Hayes & Harlington Urban District Council on issues such as council house rents.

Unfortunately, later in life Eric and his close friend fellow Welshman, Cllr Ivor Anthony fell out with the direction of the Hayes Labour Party in the Press on issues such as Gay rights and Ireland. As a result a witch hunt was launched against the local party by Labour party head office and the right wing media - no evidence of "ultra leftism" or "infiltration" by groups was ever forthcoming.

It's has to be pointed out that Eric was suffering from bad health during this period.

* we would welcome more information and better quality picture

Hayes & Harlington Labour Party Officers 1962

P.C. Carter (President) (South Ward)
Edward Joseph Vance (Secretary) (Frogmore Ward)
Simon Geldberg (Vice President) (Hayes Ward)
Ossie Garvin (Treasurer) (ASWcM Hayes & Hayes Ward)

Ivor Anthony (TGWU 1/212 & Coldharbour Ward)
R. G. Hoare (Belmore/Barnhill Ward)
H. Matthews (AEU & Crane Ward)
Mrs Kathleen Johnson (Pinkwell Ward)
F. W. Rosser (Coldharbour Ward)
Brian Shaw (AEU)
Gwilym Arthur Childs (Botwell Ward)
E. Nixon (Yeading Ward)
K. Ebbs (Coldharbour Ward)
Mrs I. Vance (Womens Section & Frogmore Ward)
Robert John Came (ASLEF Southall & Botwell)
E. A. Wiltshire (AEU)
Eric G Evans (TGWU 1/690 & Belmore)
A. Woolcock (AEU)
A. Sanderson (ASWcM)
Miss G. White (Pinkwell Ward)


Note:
ASWcM - Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers and Construction Machinists merged in 1972 to form Furniture, Timber and Allied Trade Union (FTAT)

Hayes By-Pass - Labour Party Demand 1984

Hayes Bypass was fought for by the local Hayes Labour Party for many years, but credit must go to campaigners such as Ossie Garvin, Peter Fagan and John McDonnell in forcing it through to conclusion.

The protest above dates from 1984

The Hayes Gazette records that

Peak-hour traffic was held up in Hayes Town Centre on Thursday evening by Hayes Bypass demonstrators.

Protesters, led by Greater London Council deputy leader Mr John McDonnell, marched across and, at one stage, sat in the middle of a zebra crossing near Pump Lane as a demonstration against what they claim is the minister's delay in giving her decision on the Bypass inquiry report.

The protest lasted about 20 minutes. Police arrived soon after it ended but there was no trouble.

Scandalous

Mr Ginger Evans, a member of the local Hayes Labour Party's management committee, was among the protesters, who included Hillingdon Council Labour Party leader Cllr Peter Fagan.

He said: "Most of the people we talked to in their cars seemed to be sympathetic because they agreed that there should be a Hayes Bypass."

Mr John McDonnell, who is also the GLC member for Hayes and Harlington, said: "The demonstration was to draw people's attention to the fact that all we need is the go-ahead from the minister. The money is there and all the contacts are ready to go."

He added that it was scandalous that ministers had sat on the inquiry inspector's report for more than seven months and that every day that passed without a decision meant that local residents had to put up with the "din, dirt and danger" from heavy through traffic that should be on the bypass.

 
"There have been no delays preventing the go ahead from the GLC side.

Mr McDonnell added: "We have done everything we can to speed up this project and get the work started and now we want to hear the minister say 'Yes' to

the scheme so we can get on with the task of providing this valuable new road link."

A Transport Department spokesman said that the department and the Environment Department still had the inspector's report and that it was hoped that an announcement would be made as soon as possible.

NOTE

Photo

Left to right Eric "Ginger" Evans, unknown?, Chris Rogers, George Philpot, John McDonnell (sitting) Steve Clare and behind (unseen) the last poster on right one Michael Walker

Circa 1984