It's back to the future

The Pontypool man is leader of the ISTC (the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation) which is merging with KFAT (the knitwear, foot and apparel trades).

Community will comprise 70,000 members, two thirds having come from the ISTC and one third from KFAT.

Mr Leahy is its leader. He said: "It's 'back to the future' for us because Community will be just what its name suggests. It will resemble the earliest unions which helped with most aspects of their members' lives. For example, the unions set up libraries and learning facilities long before this country had a public education policy."

Mr Leahy said the new union aimed to build relationships with many groups within communities such as faith groups, and charities.

He pointed out that the ISTC has been moving in this direction for some years with initiatives such as its Key Skills Partnership. "This has helped mitigate the damage done as major industries have withdrawn from traditional industrial areas."

Key Skills employs 55 people and has a turnover of £3.5 million. "It has offered tuition to more than a million workers."

Mr Leahy said the workplace had changed profoundly since the days of huge employers.

"Seventy-five per cent of workers are now in small-to-medium-sized firms of less than 50 people. We can help these businesses grow by training their workforces. We want to be seen as a force for good, not a force for coercion."

Mr Leahy said this represented the future of modern trades unionism. "We're visiting schools to educate children on how things have changed. "We use David Beckham and the PFA (professional footballers' association) as an example."

He said he was pleased that after what he called "an investment draught" at Alpha Steel the company is now making significant investments in new plant and equipment.

"The demand for steel is there and we have been urging all companies - including Corus at Llanwern - to take advantage of it by maintaining or expanding production levels."