Pearl Molloy – an unsung hero at Yell honoured by her Union

Telecoms & Financial Services January 29 2016

Long-standing CWU rep at Yell, Pearl Molloy, has been made an honorary member of the Central Counties and Thames Valley Branch in recognition of her many years fighting a tough corner to keep the union strong.

As the union’s lead rep for Yell based at the head office in Reading, she has been on a long journey in her 18 years with the company-a journey that sadly ends today (Friday)

In that time, members have been sold by BT as Yellow Pages, seen a huge international expansion of the company as Yell, which then became Hibu and is now Yell again. Since the 2008 recession the company has undergone constant financial restructuring and round upon round of redundancies.

CWU Assistant Secretary Nigel Cotgrove said: “Pearl is an unsung hero who has been honoured by her Branch for all her work. She has kept the union going in Yell during very challenging times, but she has always been cheerful and resolute and has fought hard to save jobs. She always has the members’ interests at heart.”

Now, sadly, Pearl is herself one of those being made redundant, but when she spoke to Voice she remained characteristically upbeat about the future.

She said: “I’ve already got an interview for a new job, but before that it’s time for a holiday!”

Pearl is going with friends and family for a well-earned break in the sunshine of Lanzarote.

Over the years, Pearl has been active on equalities issues in the union and has enjoyed attending the national conference. It was just before attending one that she had one of her proudest CWU moments.

She said: “Some guys were at my home installing Sky in my son’s bedroom and I asked them to hurry because I needed to leave for the CWU conference. When they heard this they said wished they could join, but that they couldn’t as the union wasn’t recognised. I told them; Of course you can join! No-one can stop you joining the union!”

Pearl gave them a wad of membership forms and very soon no less than 20 Sky employees were new CWU members.

And though Pearl maybe leaving Yell, that doesn’t mean she’s leaving the union. “I’ll always be a member!” she declared.