Memoirs of GD Fell

There was only a handful of Radio Grades throughout the organisation that refused to sign so where there had been a separate union branch for each station, it was decided to amalgamate the branches into one national branch (Branch 782). The unions decided to fight the ban through the courts but even though they went as far as the International Court they lost the fight.

During this period of time I was invited to numerous meetings both Civil Service and Trade Union Council. In 1986 I was invited to attend the annual TUC meeting in London and also asked if I would like to address a meeting in Carlisle. This I was quite happy to do. Naturally I called on my mother after I had spoken at the meeting.

Prior to the meeting I was interviewed by Border television and the interview was shown on the news that evening whilst I was sitting with my mother. When I came on the television she Said, "Look, that looks just like you", I don't think she ever realised that it really was me sitting beside her and also appearing on 'The Box'.

As part of the campaign for the restoration of trade unions in GCHQ the unions decided to publish a weekly newspaper to keep everyone up to date. About a hundred of these newspapers were sent to me weekly to distribute at work. I used to ensure that the admin office, the officer in charge and the duty officers on each watch all got copies. At this stage I must say that I never had any hassle from any of the hierarchy  at Scarborough for staying in the union. The powers that be in Cheltenham however appeared to be determined to break the unions. In October 1986 they brought in a 'UNIFIED STRUCTURE' (agreed with the newly formed federation) throughout the organisation.  No longer would there be Clerical grades, Radio grades, Technical grades etc.