 After being demobbed, he joined the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers (NUPBPW), serving as its National Organiser from 1953 to 1960.In 1960, Keys became the London Secretary of the NUPBPW, remaining in the role when it became part of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades.In 1970, he was promoted to become General President of the union, then in 1974 he was elected as General Secretary.