Harold Collison

Who was Harold Collison?

Harold Francis Collison, Baron Collison, CBE, was a British trade unionist.

Born in the East End of London, Collison grew up in Gloucester and attended the Crypt School, before working on a farm from the age of seventeen. He joined the National Union of Agricultural Workers and was also active in the Labour Party. From 1946, he worked at the union headquarters in London, and in 1953 he was elected General Secretary. In 1960, he became President of the International Federation of Plantation, Agricultural and Allied Workers, serving until 1976, and he was also a member of the executive of the International Labour Organisation.

In the 1961 New Year's Honours he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire. He was made a life peer on 14 December 1964 as Baron Collison, of Cheshunt, in the county of Hertford.

In 1965, Collison served as President of the Trades Union Congress. In 1969, he resigned as General Secretary of the union to became Chairman of the Supplementary Benefits Commission.