The research on which this book is based would not have been possible without the full cooperation of a number of trade unions and many of their local full-time officers. We would particularly like to thank the following: from the AEU (now AEEU) – Laurie Smith and Bill Young; from ASTMS (now MSF) – Chris Ball, Dave Barr, John Chowcatt, Donna Haber and Jim Mercer; from the GMB – Alan Cave, John Cope, Derek Gladwin, Alan Gordon, George Holland, Derek Horn, Derek Hunter, Paul Kenny, Ian Keys, George Little, Tony Lusby, Dave Ryland and Terry Tarling; from the T&GWU – Barry Camfield, Ron Connolly, Jacqui Ford, Ken Fuller, Fred Higgs, Terry Hurst, Peter Martindale, Tom O'Driscoll, Philip Pearson, Regan Scott, Fred Tooke and Ron Webb. We would also like to thank the Economic and Social Research Council for their financial support (Grant FOO 23 2201). A number of people helped with data preparation including Janet Heery, Louise Heery and Penny Page. Una Macauley collected our data on women officers. Finally we would like to thank the many people who have typed successive drafts of the book over the past few years, most recently Yvonne Curtis and Stephanie Wilson. None of the above is responsible for what we have written: this is all down to the authors.