A STALWART union official who has spent his career fighting for the best deals for sacked footwear workers has spoken out about his fears for the future of the industry.

Michael Murray MBE, who was district officer for clothing and footwear union KFAT, has battled relentlessly against the decline of East Lancashire's footwear industry during his 34-year career.

But when calls were made to cut the number of officers at KFAT, Mr Murray decided to submit his own name for early retirement -- and was accepted. He left the union on August 1.

During his extensive career Mr Murray, 58, has campaigned for the local footwear trade both nationally and internationally.

Laying the blame for the industry's decline squarely on the shoulders of cheap imports, Mr Murray said: "More and more manufacturers are making decisions to manufacture aboard, not only footwear, it's effecting the clothing trade, too.

"It's cheaper in the short-term, but whether it's cheaper in the long-term is another matter." His decision to take early retirement comes after years of negotiating redundancy deals for workers and the general decline of the footwear industry.

He said: "I submitted by name because there are younger officers who would be faced with retirement. I've done 34 years and the job is not the same as it used to be with so many factory closures.

" But I've really enjoyed my time within the footwear industry. I've made good friends, met some good shop stewards who have helped me and I've had some good negotiations."

At the beginning of his career, Mr Murray worked as a toolmaker for Lucas Engineering, in Burnley.

In 1997 he was appointed district officer of KFAT following it's amalgamation with the former Rossendale Boot, Shoe and Slipper Operatives, where he worked for 31 years.

Over the years, he has served on numerous committees, including the Rawtenstall Trades Council, the NEDO Footwear Committee and the TUC Textile Footwear Committee.

He plans to continue to his appointments with the Grane Residents' Association and his work with the Employment Tribunals, Manchester. He is also a governor at Burnley College.

Speaking of his new-found freedom, Mr Murray said: "It's certainly different! I suppose it's different in that you're not dreading the phone calls that another factory is to close."

Picture: Mr Murray with his wife, Margaret, when he received his MBE in 1995. His children, Rebecca and Adam also attended the ceremony