Gerry Morrissey is new GS

Gerry Morrissey has been elected as BECTU's new General Secretary it was announced today.

He was unopposed in the election, which took place following the sad death of Roger Bolton, who died in November 2006 after a long battle with cancer.

Gerry Morrissey commented: "I am honoured to have been elected General Secretary of BECTU, which I've either been a member of or worked for since I was 17.

"The industries in which we organise face many challenges and I will be ensuring that the view of our members are taken onboard by employers and politicians in the years to come."

Morrissey led two successful strikes at the BBC, one in 1998, over pay, job cuts and privatisations, and another in 2005. He also masterminded the first national theatre strike for 90 years over pay in regional theatres in 1990.

Born in Tipperary Town, Ireland, Morrissey joined the Association of Broadcasting Staff (a forerunner of BECTU) in 1977 while working as a catering buyer at the BBC. He became Central London Catering branch chair in 1981 and chair of the Premises Services Subdivision before becoming elected onto the union's National Executive Committee in 1983.

His industrial career began in earnest in 1988 when he became responsible for West End and regional theatres and successfully attained the position of supervisory official for the Arts & Entertainment division before returning to his BBC roots as supervisory official for the BBC in 1995.

He was appointed Assistant General Secretary in 1998, a post he held up until last Friday, 2 February.

He is married with two children and is an ardent Arsenal supporter.