John Brannigan

John Brannigan (5 January 1900 – 18 July 1959) was a Scottish trade union leader.

Brannigan was born in Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire, to Patrick Brannigan, a steel dresser and journeyman, and his wife, Helen (née Lynch).

Brannigan was elected as assistant general secretary of the union in 1938. In December 1943, he was elected as the union's general secretary, defeating David Johnstone, Alexander Irvine and James White Jr, winning more than 50% of the votes. While considered a good speaker and negotiator, he showed little interest in innovations, and the union stagnated under his leadership.

In late 1949, Brannigan was involved in a serious motor accident while drunk. He collapsed while at the police station and was kept in hospital for four weeks. Some members of the union, including assistant general secretary David Johnstone, sought to have Branningan removed as general secretary, but Brannigan eventually won out, and Johnstone was instead suspended. In his spare time, he served on the Scottish Transport Users' Consultative Committee, the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association, and the Local Price Regulation Committee.