John Newton (trade unionist)
John Edward Newton was a British trade unionist.
Born in Lofthouse in Yorkshire, Newton began work in tailoring at the age of 21. He won awards for his cutting and design skills, but increasingly came to focus on trade unionism.
Newton was elected as the president of the Middlesbrough branch of the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers in 1939, he was elected to the union's executive council in 1943, then became assistant regional organiser for the North of England in 1947 and then regional organiser in 1948. In 1952, he was elected as the union's general secretary, taking over from Anne Loughlin the following year. He also served as president of the International Textile and Garment Workers' Federation from its formation, then as the first president of the new International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, standing down in 1972.
Newton resigned as secretary of the NUTGW in 1968, citing the pressure of work. He also served on the executive council of the Trades Union Congress, and was President of the TUC in 1969.
