SCOTLAND: RE HONORARY LIFE MEMBER ANDREW (ANDY) HOGG; FORMER SCOTTISH ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you of the passing of our Honorary Life Member, and former Assistant General Secretary late last night.

Andy has been battling cancer for the last 6 months but sadly passed away in Beatson’s centre in Glasgow with his wife and daughters at his side.

Most of you will not need told who Andy is given his very long service and association with the SPS and his various roles within the POA over 3 decades. He was first elected to the SPOA NEC in the late 90’s and very quickly was appointed to the Trade Union Side (TUS) post of TUS secretary. He was a crucial figure in moving incredibly challenging industrial relations in the service into a position of working in partnership and was a key contributor to the Partnership Agreement that has stood the test of time for over 2 decades and is a way of working that we now simply take for granted. 

His calm, professional approach, alongside his patience and good humour were invaluable in moving industrial relations to a whole new place and environment. There are very many colleagues who will know Andy personally, and who will have been grateful for his help, advice and support over the years.

I had the absolute honour and privilege to have him join us as our FTO in 2009, and he and I worked very closely together throughout my time as Scottish Chair. He was a magnificent support to me and the SNC throughout his time, and I have been so grateful for his considered informed guidance and support during some very difficult times for the trade union. 

Andy Hogg was a very conscientious hard-working officer of the POA, who is easily described as very much a people person and someone who is universally liked by all who came to know him. We have benefited enormously from his contribution, both as TUS secretary and then as the full-time officer of the POA.

On a personal level, Andy was also a very close personal friend over many years who I have the highest personal respect for. He is also a close friend to those who have, and still do work in the administration of our office, and who without exception would describe Andy as the perfect gentleman.   He is a man of great integrity who personified a professionalism that we all should hope to aspire to.

Our deepest condolences go to his wife Angela, and to his two daughters Sophie and Emma.

We will inform members of the families wishes in terms of his funeral arrangements once we have them.

 

Kind Regards

 

PHIL FAIRLIE
Assistant General Secretary