TRIBUTES have been paid to Three Towns union activist and Labour politician Andy Kerr following his recent death.

A former BT worker, Andy was chair of both Cunninghame North constituency Labour Party and its Ardrossan branch in the 1980s and 90s.

His career rose to prominence when he became a full time union official, then Deputy General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union.

He also served on the Labour Party's national executive committee for some years, including some time as chair.

Andy's daughter Amanda Kerr would later follow in his footsteps and is now a Labour councillor for Ardrossan.

He stepped down from his union duties a few months ago, during his battle with cancer.

Andy's funeral will be held at the Clyde Coast and Garnock Valley Crematorium next Wednesday, September 25 at 12 noon.

Ayrshire MSP Katy Clark said: “I knew Andy for many decades and was extremely shocked and saddened by his passing.

“He was a Saltcoats man with strong local roots, a lifelong socialist and trade unionist who was elected to one of the highest positions in the British trade union movement and served as the UK Labour Party’s NEC chair.

“He was a lovely man, really good company who also fought for what he believed to be right."

Andy KerrAndy Kerr (Image: CWU)

The West of Scotland Labour MSP added:  “He worked for what became British Telecom and became a CWU trade union activist but was also very involved with the Labour Party locally first in Labour Party Young Socialists, then became chair of Cunninghame North Labour Party and as agent in Scottish Parliament elections.

“He was a massive support to the Labour Party locally over many decades. He will be greatly missed.

“My deepest condolences go to Andrea, his son and daughter Matt and Amanda and all his family and friends.” 

In a statement following Andy's death, the leaders of the Communications Workers Union said: "We are writing to advise you of the deeply sad news that Andy Kerr, our previous deputy general secretary telecoms and financial services, passed away following a serious illness.

"Many of you will have heard Andy’s truly inspirational address to our conference in April, when he spoke passionately about his lifelong commitment to working class people as an active trade unionist and socialist.

"We know that Andy and Andrea really appreciated the overwhelming support and kind personal messages that they received following the conference.

"We personally held Andy in the highest esteem and we all know he made an immense contribution in representing our members, the CWU and the UK and international trade union and Labour movement.

"As such, he will be sorely missed and will always be remembered as one of the most influential leaders in the history of the CWU and our predecessor unions.

"Andy made clear to conference that his illness was very serious, nevertheless this news will still come as a shock to everybody who knew and respected Andy as a friend and colleague.

"We know we speak on behalf of everybody in the CWU and the wider movement in expressing our sincere and heartfelt condolences to his wife Andrea, his children Matt and Mandy and his wider family."

Our thoughts are with Andy's family and friends at this sad time.