It was a privilege to pay tribute to Rod at his retirement party last night.

It is sad that he is taking early retirement and he will be missed. As well as being a leading light in the Trade Union movement and respected by Ministers he kept up his work as a grass roots Labour Party activist in Newington ward. For over 25 years he served as an officer of Southwark Trades Council – and was awarded the TUC’s silver badge in 1994 in recognition of this. He was also the Chair person of the Southwark Campaign against Racism and Fascism.

© 2009 Andrew Wiard

I know he’ll continue to work for social justice and all the causes he believes in.

Rod is taking early retirement from Unison after 36 years service. His retirement party was attended MPs Michael Moore MP, Diane Abbott MP and Kelvin Hopkins MP, Ministers Rosie Winterton MP and John Healey MP, Trade Union Leaders including Rodney Biggerstaff, friends and colleagues.