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From The Socialist newspaper, 20 January 2021
Obituary - Jeff Edwards
7 July 1948 - 3 January 2021
Jeff Edwards sadly passed away at Whipps Cross hospital on 3 January, having contracted Covid-19.
Jeff had worked as a porter at Whipps Cross hospital for more than 30 years. He was a supporter of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and a Socialist Party member.
Although Jeff never held a union position formally (apart from auditor) he played a role in the fight to help build union organisation at the hospital in the years following the trust's privatisation of ancillary services in 1997.
A hugely popular figure, Jeff had the ear of the young porters whom he helped gain an understanding of their industrial strength, and what could be won through collective trade union action. He helped make the union's case to longer-serving porters to take what was successful strike action, alongside their newer counterparts leading to the the raising of pay, terms and conditions to that of their longer established colleagues.
Having retired only two years ago, Jeff will be forever remembered by our Unite union branch for his unswerving committment to the union. He was a stalwart on our picket lines through successive strikes by the hospitals ancillary workers against the effects of privatisation over the past twenty four years.
A lover of life, of people and a few beers, Jeff was in every sense a real East End cockney legend and will be missed by many.
Len Hockey, Whipps Cross Hospital shop steward
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In The Socialist 20 January 2021:
News
Make the super-rich pay, not the poorest
Bosses profit out of 'starvation' food parcels
Teachers: On the front line, in their own words
Peace and Justice Project - no way forward for socialism
Millionaire tendency regains control of Scottish Labour
Covid-19
The Tory blame game: scapegoating the working class - 100% pay for all now
Covid: Bosses chase profit and put workers in danger
Vaccine confidence - a worker's response
Life in lockdown - being home from school when you're poor is hard
NHS
Black Lives Matter
Police use Covid laws to intimidate BLM protesters
New Cross Gate fire 40 years ago
International News
USA in crisis - the need for a socialist alternative
Trump Twitter ban: only independent workers' voice can defeat right
Workplace
PCS Broad Left Network conference
Rolls-Royce Barnoldswick factory future secured following strike action
Morrisons - £10/hr headline hides divisive pay offer
A day in the life of an agency worker
Students
Plymouth rent strike continues
Scrap fees, refund rents and pay a living grant
Campaigns
London's May elections: Tories and Labour's Khan both vying to slash public services
Socialist Party national women's meeting
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Christmas Crossword Competition
Readers' Opinion
Books that inspired me: The Road to Wigan Pier
Obituary
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