Sad news to hear about the sudden death of Anton Moctonian. He was a former UNISON activist but I knew him as a Trade Union studies tutor.
He was a great tutor not only because he was an experienced trade union steward who knew practice as well as theory but because he was that rare bird in our movement; someone who was thoughtful, pragmatic and genuinely interested in ideas and different views.
Hat tip picture and review from
Camden Trade Council.
“Camden Trades Council deeply regrets the loss of Anton Moctonian,
who died suddenly at home of a suspected heart attack on Monday 28
December.
Anton, a long-time Camden resident, had been a militant union
activist for virtually the whole of his adult life, having been first a
NUPE and then Camden UNISON steward in the Council’s Housing Department,
becoming the Assistant Branch Secretary (Blue Collar).
During his time
in Camden he earned a reputation as an exceptionally committed and
effective representative, doggedly defending many individual members and
helping secure victories for whole sections of manual
workers.
After
leaving Camden UNISON nearly a decade ago Anton undertook studies
including employment law at Keele University becoming an energetic and
much valued tutor with Unite the union, though he also consistently
followed the UNISON branch’s campaigns, not least those for the London
Living Wage for catering staff in the borough’s schools and the recent
battle with parking enforcement contractor, NSL.
The Trades Council extends its condolences to Anton’s many friends
and comrades in Unite and UNISON as well as the wider labour movement,
but in particular to his partner of nearly 30 years, Vaughan Thomas,
himself a long-standing and widely respected RMT activist.
Details of
his funeral/memorial service will be circulated at the earliest
opportunity.”
