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Fonds

GCHQ Trade Union Campaign

Catalogue reference: GCH

What’s it about?

This record is about the GCHQ Trade Union Campaign dating from (1924)-2017.

Is it available online?

Maybe, but not on The National Archives website. This record is held at Warwick University: Modern Records Centre.

Can I see it in person?

Not at The National Archives, but you may be able to view it in person at Warwick University: Modern Records Centre.

Full description and record details

Reference

GCH

Title

GCHQ Trade Union Campaign

Date

(1924)-2017

Description

The archive of the GCHQ Trade Union Campaign includes minutes of members' meetings, 1984-97; Campaign Team minutes, 1992-6; subject files (including re disciplinary action, 1986-9); general correspondence, 1984-97; 'Warning Signal', 1984-97; and campaign leaflets, 1984-97. According to a note by Mike Grindley, chair of GCHQ trade unions, there were press cuttings, correspondence and campaign material, etc. at the campaign office in Cheltenham, which formed the first accession deposited in the Modern Records Centre, and his own collection of campaign records which he put into chronological and (for some topics) 'classified order' in summer 2003, which formed subsequent accessions.

Held by
Warwick University: Modern Records Centre
Legal status

Not Public Record(s)

Language

English

Creator(s)
GCHQ Trade Union Campaign
Physical description

41 boxes

Unpublished finding aids
https://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/GCH
Administrative / biographical background

The GCHQ trade union campaign began after the decision by the Conservative government in January 1984 to ban unions at the GCHQ (Government Communications Head Quarters) intelligence gathering centre in Cheltenham. Eventually 14 workers were dismissed because of their refusal to resign their union membership. The GCHQ campaign became one of the most important trade union issues during the 1980s and 1990s. With the election of a Labour government in May 1997, the rights of trade unionists at GCHQ were partially restored and the campaign ended.

Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/b6943122-0c28-423c-98e4-fc9111e13c15/

Catalogue hierarchy

17,536 records

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GCHQ Trade Union Campaign