About David Basnett
Lived 1924 – 1989 (aged 64). David Basnett was a British trade unionist and politician.
David Basnett, Baron Basnett (9 February 1924 – 25 January 1989), was a British trade union leader.
Born in Liverpool, Basnett studied at Quarry Bank High School before becoming a bank clerk. He served as a pilot with the Royal Air Force during World War II, then in 1948 began working for the National Union of General and Municipal Workers (NUGMW), as their regional officer for Liverpool.
In 1955, Basnett became the NUGMW's national education officer, while, in 1960, he was appointed national industrial officer, and in 1966 he was elected to the general council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC). In 1970, he negotiated a satisfactory settlement to a major dispute at Pilkington, and he used this success as a springboard to win election as the union's general secretary in 1973.
Basnett died on 25 January 1989, at the age of 64.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped David Basnett's
Frequently asked questions
Who was David Basnett?
Trade union leader (1924-1989)
When was David Basnett born?
David Basnett was born on 9 February 1924 in Liverpool.
When did David Basnett die?
David Basnett died on 25 January 1989.
What was David Basnett's occupation?
David Basnett was a trade unionist and politician.
What nationality was David Basnett?
David Basnett was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). David Basnett. https://biography.guide/david-basnett/
MLA: "David Basnett." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/david-basnett/.
Chicago: "David Basnett." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/david-basnett/.
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