UNISON Eastern pays tribute to the memory of Danny Purton, a longtime activist in UNISON and its forerunner NALGO, the National and Local Government Officers Association, who continued to serve the Harlow’s workers after his retirement on Harlow Council.
We encourage members to take a moment to remember him during his funeral today.
Former UNISON branch secretary Julie Houston shared her tribute to Danny.
Danny was the Chair of the Harlow NALGO and then UNISON branch from the 1980s through to the early 2000s.
He was the driving force of the branch, always leading from the front, winning decent terms and conditions for members.
But importantly, he also led in a way that sought to bring young trade unionists forward (including myself), supporting them, giving control and responsibility, and confidence. He campaigned on many issues including support for unemployed workers and was a major force on Harlow Trades Council for many years.
More recently he transferred these leadership skills to becoming a Labour councillor, strongly advocating for the Harlow and its people, as he had done for NALGO and UNISON members.
He spent many years in the service of members, we owe him so much and will miss him enormously.