The CTU is now a white collar, not blue collar, body
The CTU (and FOL before it) used to be the main body representing working class union members. But we can see from its leadership that it has been a very very long time since it has had a working class president. Their leaders over time were:
- Fintan Walsh (1952-63), Seaman
- Tom Skinner (1959-79), Plumber
- Jim Knox (1979-87), Truck driver and watersider
- Ken Douglas (1987-99), Truck driver
- Ross Wilson (1999 – 07, Lawyer
- Helen Kelly (2007-15), Teacher
- Richard Wagstaff (2015-25). public sector union official
- Sandra Grey (2025-), Academic
So the first four presidents were all working class. But since Ken Douglas, every single one has been white collar. It is probably unthinkable that a truck driver today could become CTU President.