Mark Harvey
NEWS Extra
BY HAJERA BLAGG A true friend Unite says farewell to movement giant Davey Hopper
Precisely a week after the 132nd Durham Miner’s Gala this year, Davey Hopper, a giant of the trade union movement who has overseen the Gala as Durham Miner’s Association (DMA) secretary for more than three decades, sadly passed.
Davey (pictured) died of a heart attack at his home in East Boldon on July 16.
The 73-year-old lifelong trade unionist is remembered for his unbending commitment to socialist principles and working-class solidarity, both in his latest role as DMA secretary and also as general secretary of the Durham area National Union of Miners (NUM).
He served in this post following the contentious 1984/85 miners’ strike and during the final closure of the Durham Coalfield.
In recent years he stood by many trade unionists caught up in protracted disputes,
including Durham teaching assistants and junior doctors.
Perhaps Davey’s greatest achievement has been turning the annual Durham Miners’ Gala, also known as the Big Meeting, into the most popular trade union celebration in Europe, if not the world.
This year’s Gala in July was the highest attended in the last 60 years – 200,000 people from across the globe joined in to celebrate trade union solidarity.
Davey stood firm in his support for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who spoke at this year’s Gala.
Corbyn said Davey’s passing was “a huge loss” and called the trade unionist “a pillar of strength for the working class.”
All those who knew him recalled his quick wit, kindness and tenacity.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey
offered his “deepest, most sincere condolences to Davey’s family, and to all members of
the Durham Miners’ Association” on behalf of Unite.
“Hearts will be heavy as we reflect upon the loss of this brilliant and determined man, a giant of our movement, a man dedicated to justice, equality and the betterment of his community,” he added.
“I have lost a great friend but I won’t be alone in remembering Davey with huge affection and admiration,” Len noted. “He was a true friend to working people and a proud son of the north east who brought passion and grit to the fight to improve the lives of working people.
“His legacy will, of course, live on in the Gala, the most vibrant union gathering in the world, which thrives because Davey never, ever let us forget that we must celebrate our traditions, we must not lose our history and we must bring our values to all that we seek to achieve today.”
31 uniteWORKS Summer 2016
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