Comrade and class fighter
It is with sadness that Socialist Outlook has to report the death of Paul Wozny, a long standing supporter and militant labour movement activist on September 20. He was 44 years old.
Born Pavel Wozney, Paul was brought up in New Jersey, USA, before moving to England in 1970. Paul’s political upbringing was heavily influenced by his Polish father, and a brother who was active in Solidarnosc.
Paul will be remembered as an active trade unionist. He first got involved with the NUS (RMT) on the Harwich ferries. He was a full-time Unison convenor when he died. He was also an active member of the Labour Party.
Paul’s funeral took place on September 28 in Southampton and was attended by nearly 100 people, his family and many friends from all strands of his political life. Labour Party members. sisters and brothers from UNISON and the Trades Council and members of every different left current present in the city he had made his home.
If one thing stands out in the many tributes we received – only a sample of which we are able to print here – it was Paul’s non-sectarianism.
While always defending his own deeply-held views, Paul never let this stand in the way of working with those he disagreed with. He was looked to for guidance by many in other left currents who valued his ideas and experience. He was the backbone of everything that happened in Southampton and played a broader role in the left of UNISON.
He will be sorely missed.
Simon Letts (Southampton Campaign Group)
I first met Paul when - shortly after joining the Labour Party in 1985 I attended the AGM of our local St Luke’s Ward.
It was attended by nearly 70 people and it soon become clear that they divided neatly into two groups. Paul was one of the more vocal members of the smaller of the two groups, as he was for the majority of his political career.
Even those who were opposed to his politics saw him as a worthy advocate for principled red blooded socialism.
I saw Paul on many occasions in the years that followed, at constituency meetings or at the various rallies against the Poll Tax or pit closures, but I only got to know him well just after Tony Blair was elected leader of the party, when many of us on the left in Southampton came to form the Southampton Socialist Campaign Group.
Paul was immediately elected on to the Committee. I was surprised to discover that far from being the harsh unmoving figure of his GC contribution, he was a decent, honest and principled man, and frankly a little soft.
It was often Paul who would support a position of compromise when we discussed tactics and strategy, and this spirit of working together washed over into his political contributions.
He was probably listened to more in the last two years of his life than at any other time. Consistency of political position and the principled logic of his arguments are what Paul will be remembered for.
I spoke to Paul three days before his death. As usual, it was in the pub.
I had been at the Labour Party GC. Paul had been defending a trade union member at an appeal. We had both had minor victories. Paul was in good spirits. His evening’s work had resulted in somebody else keeping their job. I had been completely exonerated on a charge of bringing the party into disrepute. We were both optimistic about the chances of the Grassroots Alliance at the Labour Party Conference, scheduled to start the following week.
I wished Paul goodnight as we left the pub together, little knowing that I would never see him alive again. He will be sadly missed.
Steve Fricker (Socialist Appeal)
Paul Wozny was a good mate and comrade of mine. His death was a terrible shock to me, we had enjoyed a pint or three with other comrades only on Thursday in the local pub.
He will be sorely missed by his comrades and all on the left in Southampton Labour Party and throughout the labour movement in Hampshire.
In the Labour Party Paul was an inspiration, continually taking on the right throughout the difficult period that the left has been through. It is dreadful for all of us that just as the tide is turning in the left’s favour, this tragedy should occur.
Rod Marshall
I would like to say that while I didn’t always agree with Paul when I discussed issues with him that I thought he was a great comrade who had a real passion and humanity.
I remember going to Southampton for a meeting and Paul was really welcoming and comradely despite the pressures of work he was under.
It’s so sad for the left to lose someone of his calibre and I’m really saddened on a personal level as I look back on my meetings with Paul with real fondness.
Terry Conway (Socialist Outlook)
While I am still reeling from the news of his untimely death, I am pleased that my last memory of Paul is one in which he was thoroughly enjoying himself. It was at our recent Socialist Outlook Summer School in Bangor, North Wales. We discussed political theory and lessons from the history of the worker’s movement during the day. In the evenings there was time to relax, to talk with comrades one hadn’t seen for a long time or were meeting for the first time.
On the last evening of our stay the session of talking,drinking and listening to music culminated late into the night in a prolonged session of singing political songs. Paul was one of those who gave voice, entertaining us with songs from his native America and revelling in its great tradition of political folk music.
He sang ‘Union Maid’ ( one of my favourites) and then Joe Hill. Its in the words of the later that I can find the best tribute to Paul’s work, to what he did so well and how I will long remember him:
" Where working folk defend their rights, it’s there you’ll find Joe Hill"
Glenn Kelly, National Secretary CFDU
On behalf of the Campaign for a Fighting and Democratic UNISON National Committee I wish to send our sincere condolences to Paul’s family and friends at this time of their tragic loss.
Paul had been a member of the CFDU National Committee since its inception in 1993 and was always an ardent defender of the need for socialists within the union to organise themselves, and to mount a campaign not only to force the union to fight for its members but to win the union to socialist ideas.
Our memorial to Paul must be to continue that fight and to organise the left unity within the union that Paul always held so dearly.
Jonathan Joseph (Workers Action)
Paul will be remembered as a great class fighter and comrade of the highest integrity and principle. There was no messing around with Paul. He meant what he said and then did it.
In this respect he was the best militant activist that I have come across.
But it wasn’t just activism for the sake of it. Paul was always clear about what he was doing and what he aimed to get.
Paul always knew the battleground. The right in the Labour Party and unions were running scared of him because he could always turn their arguments round or quote facts back to them.
Paul never compromised his principles. However, he was always concerned to build as broad an opposition in the labour movement as he could.
It is a testament to Paul that in Southampton he has helped to build probably the biggest Campaign Group branch, one of the most militant Unison branches (solidly supporting the CFDU) and one of the few functioning trades councils.
When I first met Paul I was demoralised and my politics were ill informed and wildly ultra-left (very funny – I know they still are!). Paul patiently reintroduced me to the labour movement. Along with Nigel we worked together as Socialist Outlook supporters. We argued out our differences until we developed joint positions.
Paul was angry when I joined what became Workers Action. However, he understood my reasons and his arguments never became bitter.
Paul’s typical day involved working full-time for Unison, going to political meetings, then going down the pub. Then he drank and smoked some more at home, watching several hours of pre-recorded films and US sit coms, kicked us out, went to bed and read historical books.
He identified with the Muddy Waters’ line, "I live for comfort not for speed" (I was one of the few who he could get away with playing his doggy music to). Unfortunately comfort can be just as dangerous if it involves lots of smoking, junk food and beer. He would tell people off if they offered him things like low tar cigarettes!
Paul’s aggression at meetings was his way of overcoming nerves. If people didn’t like speaking at meetings he’d tell them about his own fears to try and encourage them. Paul would speak with a loud voice but his hands would be shaking.
If Paul shouted or got shouted at in meetings I would wind him up by telling him how soft he really was. He’d do all kinds of stupid things like sending chocolates or flowers.
For the three years I was in Southampton he was my best mate and biggest influence. But this is something that many others might also rightly claim. His tragic death is a huge loss to the labour movement and the revolutionary left. The class struggle will be worse off without him.
A trust fund has been set up in Paul’s memory which will be used for educational purposes. Cheques should be made payable to Hampshire UNISON and sent to St Thomas’ Centre, Southgate St, Winchester SO23 9EF.
A memorial meeting is being organised for Paul, probably on November 20. Call Socialist Outlook or email [email protected] to confirm details.