General Secretary

Mick Whelan is ASLEF's current General Secretary. Mick joined the railway industry in 1984 when it was still British Rail. He was elected General Secretary in 2011.

Mick Whelan is the General Secretary of ASLEF. He was first elected in October 2011.

Mick joined the railway industry in 1984 when it was still British Rail. After qualifying and working as a train driver, he became the union's full-time official for London and the Midlands. He continued to be elected to this position for over a decade.

Before becoming a full time official Mick held several positions in the union at branch, company and regional levels. He has also represented the union at events and conferences abroad.

He has extensive experience of negotiating in the rail industry and has led negotiations with a number of train operating companies on pay and conditions, health and safety and re-structuring issues. He has also represented individual members at disciplinary hearings, appeals, employment tribunals and other bodies.

Mick is a member of the Labour Party and the Chair of Labour Unions, the group of unions which are affiliated to the Labour Party. He is also the Chair of Justice for Colombia