Roz Foyer Explained

Rozanne Foyer (born November 1972) is a Scottish trade unionist who has served as the General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) since 2020; the first woman to hold the post.

Early life

Foyer grew up in Glasgow as an only child, where she helped out on her parents' market stall in the Barras.[1] She left school after her Highers, and worked in the VAT office, but left after being sexually harassed and unsure of her rights, an experience which inspired her to join a union.[2]

Career

Foyer worked for the Benefits Agency, where she led a successful campaign against privatisation. This led the Graphical, Paper and Media Union to take her on full-time as a trainee organiser, following which she became an assistant secretary at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC). Her next appointment was as a national officer for the Transport and General Workers' Union, and after it became part of Unite, she worked in its national organising department.[3] [4]

Foyer served on the general council of the STUC for many years, served a term as chair of the STUC's youth committee. In 2020, she was appointed as General Secretary of the STUC, the first woman to hold the post.

In March 2023, it was announced that Foyer would be joining Scottish newspaper The National as a regular columnist.[5]

Personal life

Foyer has been married to Simon Macfarlane, also a trade unionist, since 2002.[6] They have two daughters.[2]

References

  1. Web site: 10 things that changed my life with STUC general secretary Roz Foyer . Meighan . Craig . 4 December 2022 . 11 March 2023 . The National . en.
  2. News: Burnside . Anna . Roz Foyer is bringing a fresh feminist face to Scotland's trade union movement . 12 July 2020 . Daily Record . 3 February 2020.
  3. Web site: STUC announces appointment of new General Secretary . STUC . 10 July 2020.
  4. News: Lazenby . Peter . STUC appoints first female leader for first time in its 123-year history . 10 July 2020 . Morning Star . 2 February 2020.
  5. Web site: The STUC's Roz Foyer joins The National as a regular columnist. The National. 10 March 2023. The National.
  6. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/record-results/1853929476640c732f1dd01 Marriage certificate of Rozanne Foyer and Simon David Macfarlane