[1] He joined the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, and became a shop steward.
Baker gradually rose to prominence in the union, eventually becoming its National Officer.
He was the TUC's main delegate on the Manpower Services Commission, dealing with training.
[2] Baker was also a member of the executive of the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions, and he served as its president in 1979/80.
[3] In 1977, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.