John Monks
Encyclopedia
John Stephen Monks, Baron Monks (born 5 August 1945 in Manchester
) is a member
of the House of Lords
and was the General Secretary
of the Trades Union Congress
(TUC) in the UK
from 1993 until 2003, when he became the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation
(ETUC).
) next to the University of Manchester
on Lloyd Street North in Moss Side
, Manchester (three years below John Thaw
). He studied Economic History at the University of Nottingham
.
in Surrey.
Monks has also sat on numerous other bodies, including Acas
from 1979 until 1995. In 2000, he agreed to chair the Co-operative Commission
, reporting in 2001 with recommendations for the co-operative movement. Since 2008 he is Vice-President of European Movement
international.He is also chairman of the People's History Museum, Manchester.
as Baron Monks, of 'Blackley
in the County of Greater Manchester.
, Swinton Lions
rugby league club, and Lancashire CCC
. He married Francine Schenk in 1970 in north-west Surrey
and they have two sons (born 1973 and 1976) and a daughter (born 1981).
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
) is a member
Life peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and was the General Secretary
General Secretary of the TUC
The General Secretary of the TUC is the chief permanent officer of the Trades Union Congress, and a major figurehead in the trade union movement in the United Kingdom....
of the Trades Union Congress
Trades Union Congress
The Trades Union Congress is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in the United Kingdom, representing the majority of trade unions...
(TUC) in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from 1993 until 2003, when he became the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation
European Trade Union Confederation
The European Trade Union Confederation is a trade union organization which was established in 1973 to represent workers and their national affiliates at the European level....
(ETUC).
Early life
He attended Ducie Technical High School (became Ducie High School then closed in 2003 to become Manchester AcademyManchester Academy (Moss Side)
Manchester Academy is a non-selective co-educational secondary school within the English Academy programme, in Moss Side, Manchester.-Admissions:It is run by the United Learning Trust, a subsidiary of the United Church Schools Trust...
) next to the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
on Lloyd Street North in Moss Side
Moss Side
Moss Side is an inner-city area and electoral ward of Manchester, England. It lies south of Manchester city centre and has a population of around 17,537...
, Manchester (three years below John Thaw
John Thaw
John Edward Thaw, CBE was an English actor, who appeared in a range of television, stage and cinema roles, his most popular being police and legal dramas such as Redcap, The Sweeney, Inspector Morse and Kavanagh QC.-Early life:Thaw came from a working class background, having been born in Gorton,...
). He studied Economic History at the University of Nottingham
University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham is a public research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...
.
Career
From 1967 to 1969, he was a management trainee and junior manager with PlesseyPlessey
The Plessey Company plc was a British-based international electronics, defence and telecommunications company. It originated in 1917, growing and diversifying into electronics. It expanded after the second world war by acquisition of companies and formed overseas companies...
in Surrey.
TUC
He joined the TUC in 1969 and by 1977 was the head of the Organisation and Industrial Relations Department, and the Deputy General Secretary in 1987, leading to his election in 1993 as General Secretary.ETUC
He was re-elected as General Secretary in 2007.Monks has also sat on numerous other bodies, including Acas
Acas
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service is a Crown non-departmental public body of the Government of the United Kingdom. Its purpose is to improve organisations and working life through the promotion and facilitation of strong industrial relations practice...
from 1979 until 1995. In 2000, he agreed to chair the Co-operative Commission
Co-operative Commission
The Co-operative Commission was an independent commission set up by Tony Blair at the request of leaders of the British co-operative movement. Its aim was to review the strategy and structures of the sector, with an aim to suggesting ways to develop and modernise the movement, and its members...
, reporting in 2001 with recommendations for the co-operative movement. Since 2008 he is Vice-President of European Movement
European Movement
The European Movement International is a lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration, and disseminating information about it.-History:...
international.He is also chairman of the People's History Museum, Manchester.
House of Lords
He took his seat in the House of Lords on 11 October 2010 and was made a life peerLife peer
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the Peerage whose titles cannot be inherited. Nowadays life peerages, always of baronial rank, are created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet qualifications such as...
as Baron Monks, of 'Blackley
Blackley
Blackley is an area of the city of Manchester, in Greater Manchester, England. It is north of Manchester city centre, by a meander of the River Irk. Further north is Middleton...
in the County of Greater Manchester.
Personal life
He supports Manchester United F.C.Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
rugby league club, and Lancashire CCC
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
. He married Francine Schenk in 1970 in north-west Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and they have two sons (born 1973 and 1976) and a daughter (born 1981).