After forty three years as a civil servant and trade union activist, Ralph Baxter has retired. Ralph was awarded the MBE in the recent Birthday Honours for his work in the Department of Work and Pensions and its predecessor organisations, but it is as a determined and effective trade union Representative that most people will remember him.
Ralph has held most posts at branch and regional level, including Branch Secretary, Branch Chair, Regional Treasurer and District Health and Safety Chair. As befits a retired rugby player, he has a reputation of someone who is not afraid of a battle, as most managers in Northamptonshire will agree. However Ralph's aim has always been to obtain the best deal for the members and he proved to be a skillful negotiator.