AN Oxford-born activist who was inspired by her car worker father has been named the first woman boss of the Trades Union Congress.

Frances O’Grady said her late shop steward father James O’Grady was a key influence on her journey into union activism – and pledged to fight Government cuts.

The 52-year-old mum of two will take over from Brendan Barber when he retires as TUC General Secretary at the end of the year.

Ms O’Grady, below right, said she was “very proud and honoured” to be the first woman to take on the role at the congress, which has represented unions since 1868.

She said her British Leyland shop steward father and family were in the “Jack Jones army”, named after the famed leader of the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) in the 1970s.

Ms O’Grady said: “It is in-built. I suppose it was growing up in a time when Oxford was a very lively city from a trades union point of view.

“It was always an interesting mix in those days. There was probably a bigger divide between north and south than hopefully there is now.”

Referring to Oxford’s car industry, she said: “We have seen very mature relationships develop between unions and management, whereas perhaps it was a bit Wild West in the 70s.

“We have the sense of responsibility when deals are being done because everybody realises how important it is to keep manufacturing thriving.”

Ms O’Grady predicted a rocky relationship with the coalition Government given the scale of cuts to public services and benefits.

She said: “The key priority for the TUC is to get the Government to change its course and start investing in jobs.

“They are betting the house on cutting public services as the way to getting down the deficit, but the reverse has happened.”

Ms O’Grady said: “The root causes of the financial mess we are in is not public sector workers, but the reckless gambling of the banking and financial system that needs fundamental reform.”

She was born at home in Masons Avenue, Wood Farm and attended Wood Farm Primary School and the now-closed Milham Ford School, Headington.

After attending university in Manchester, Ms O’Grady moved to London where she worked for the TGWU, and, from 1994, the TUC.

Appointed deputy general secretary in 2003, she was the only candidate put forward by unions for the top job.

She said: “Unions are speaking up for ordinary working families.”

Chris Bond, Unite Mini plant convener, welcomed the “fantastic” news and said: “Manufacturing is doing well all over, it is about time too, but we would like to see the Government invest more.”

Oxford & District TUC President Pol O Ceallaigh said: “Considering that most union membership is predominately women, particularly in the public sector, it is about time there is a woman who is general secretary.”