Doug McAvoy
trade unionist
- January 2, 1939
- May 12, 2019
- 80 years
About Doug McAvoy
Doug McAvoy, 80, British trade union leader.
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Full Biography
|Doug McAvoy (2 January 1939 – 12 May 2019) was a British trade union leader. He was General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers from 1989 to 2004.
A teacher, McAvoy was secretary of Newcastle-upon-Tyne NUT and became a member of the National Executive of the Union in 1970. He was appointed Deputy General-Secretary designate in 1974, a post he held until 1989, when he became the first directly elected General Secretary.
Content from Wikipedia — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Articles & News
- "Doug McAvoy, leader of the National Union of Teachers whose term was marked by bitter rows with the hard Left – obituary"telegraph.co.uk
- 'Profile Doug McAvoy leaves top union role after 30 years'theguardian.com
- Interview: Teachers' leader Doug McAvoynews.bbc.co.uk
Reported coverage of Doug McAvoy; each link opens the original article on the publisher's own site.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_McAvoy
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 20, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 15 questions
Questions drawn from Doug McAvoy's archived record and the sources above.
1.On what date was Doug McAvoy born?
- A.22 April 2000
- B.2 January 1939correct
- C.12 May 2019
- D.29 May 2004
Doug McAvoy was born on 2 January 1939.
Source: biographical summary
2.What profession did Doug McAvoy hold before becoming a union leader?
- A.Teachercorrect
- B.Lawyer
- C.Politician
- D.Journalist
The text states that Doug McAvoy was a teacher.
Source: early career section
3.Doug McAvoy served as the General Secretary of which organization?
- A.National Education Association
- B.National Union of Miners
- C.National Union of Teacherscorrect
- D.British Teachers Union
Doug McAvoy served as the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers.
Source: biographical summary
4.In what year did Doug McAvoy die?
- A.1989
- B.1974
- C.2004
- D.2019correct
Doug McAvoy died on 12 May 2019.
Source: biographical summary
5.When did Doug McAvoy join the National Executive of the union?
- A.1989
- B.2004
- C.1974
- D.1970correct
Doug McAvoy became a member of the National Executive of the Union in 1970.
Source: early career section
6.Doug McAvoy served as the secretary for which specific branch of the union?
- A.Newcastle-upon-Tyne NUTcorrect
- B.Birmingham NUT
- C.Manchester NUT
- D.London NUT
Doug McAvoy served as the secretary of Newcastle-upon-Tyne NUT.
Source: early career section
7.What position was Doug McAvoy appointed to in 1974?
- A.National Executive President
- B.Regional Representative
- C.Deputy General-Secretary designatecorrect
- D.General Secretary
Doug McAvoy was appointed Deputy General-Secretary designate in 1974.
Source: early career section
8.Doug McAvoy became the first person to achieve what in 1989?
- A.Be appointed as a life member
- B.Be directly elected as General Secretarycorrect
- C.Lead a nationwide strike
- D.Serve two consecutive terms
In 1989, Doug McAvoy became the first directly elected General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers.
Source: early career section
9.In what year did Doug McAvoy step down from his role as General Secretary?
- A.2000
- B.2004correct
- C.1999
- D.2019
Doug McAvoy held the position of General Secretary from 1989 until 2004.
Source: biographical summary
10.According to the BBC News, what did Doug McAvoy warn about in 1999?
- A.Union militantscorrect
- B.Government education policies
- C.School budget cuts
- D.Teacher retirement plans
A BBC News report from 23 June 1999 mentions that Doug McAvoy warned over union militants.
Source: External links
11.Which publication reported on Doug McAvoy walking out of an NUT meeting?
- A.The Independentcorrect
- B.Daily Telegraph
- C.The Times
- D.The Guardian
The Independent reported on 29 May 2004 that Doug McAvoy walked out of an NUT meeting.
Source: External links
12.What was the date of the BBC News interview with Doug McAvoy?
- A.22 April 2000correct
- B.23 June 1999
- C.29 May 2004
- D.12 May 2019
A BBC News interview with Doug McAvoy was published on 22 April 2000.
Source: External links
13.How long did Doug McAvoy hold the post of Deputy General-Secretary designate?
- A.From 1974 to 2004
- B.From 1989 to 2004
- C.From 1974 to 1989correct
- D.From 1970 to 1989
Doug McAvoy held the post of Deputy General-Secretary designate from 1974 until 1989.
Source: early career section
14.What was Doug McAvoy's title in the National Union of Teachers before becoming General Secretary?
- A.Regional Chairman
- B.Union Treasurer
- C.National Executive Membercorrect
- D.Secretary of the National Board
Doug McAvoy was a member of the National Executive of the Union starting in 1970.
Source: early career section
15.Which of these organizations did Doug McAvoy lead?
- A.National Union of Rail Workers
- B.National Union of Journalists
- C.National Union of Students
- D.National Union of Teacherscorrect
Doug McAvoy was a trade union leader who served as the General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers.
Source: biographical summary
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