Julie Elliott was born in Whitburn, Sunderland in 1963 and has lived all her life in and around the city, now living in Fulwell.

Her father was an apprentice joiner at Sunderland shipbuilders before going on to become a blacksmith striker at Wearmouth Colliery.

Julie grew up with her parents and older brother and sister in Whitburn.

She attended Whitburn Infant School, Whitburn Junior School and Seaham Northlea Comprehensive before becoming a mum to her four, now grown-up, children.

Whilst bringing up her children she gained a degree in Government and Public Policy at Newcastle Polytechnic and she went onto become regional organiser for the Labour Party, being the Agent in Tynemouth in 1997 in their historic victory winning the seat for Labour for the 1^st time since 1945! Julie joined the National Asthma Campaign in 1998 as a regional organiser; being an asthmatic herself the charity was an organisation close to her heart.

In 1999 Julie was given the opportunity to become a regional organiser for the GMB Trade Union where she is still employed and currently has responsibility for Political, Policy, Media and Research.

During her time with the GMB Julie has worked and negotiated with some of Sunderland’s largest employers including Littlewoods, the NHS and the council.

She has also played a crucial role in the union’s campaign for fair compensation payments for sufferers of asbestos related disease. Her role led to the Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, changing the law to help thousands of sufferers across the UK.

Her work with the union has included representing members in employment tribunals, pay negotiations and among external agencies including politicians.

As a member of the Labour Party since 1984 Julie has held office at branch, constituency and regional level. She is Chair of the Labour North Board and secretary/treasurer of the Northern Trade Union Liaison Organisation.

Julie has also sat as governor for Whitburn Comprehensive from 1991 to 2004 and was Chair for several years. She has also been a governor at several primary schools in Sunderland and South Tyneside. She is a graduate of Common Purpose in Sunderland.

Politically Julie’s interests are Employment and Skills, Regeneration, Health Inequalities and Education.

During her spare time Julie enjoys swimming and walking along Seaburns’s seafront, as well as baking and watching international Rugby Union.