STEVE SINNOTT

1951-2008

Your Tributes

I met Steve several times at Somerset NUT annual dinners where often he was the principal speaker. He was a fine man in every sense, excellent company and totally dedicated to improving the lot of teachers and the education profession more generally. He was fearless in this task and knew no boundaries. His early loss is a great sadness for those who knew him in some way personally and well as those who knew about his work and successes through the media or NUT sources. My condolences and thoughts are with his family also at this time in their loss and grief. Jon Rose, County Education Officer, Somerset LEA (Retired)

I was at conference this year and when he said "Steve Sinnott, General Secretary, National Union of Teachers" I was just as proud that Steve was our General Secretary as he was. It didn't matter to Steve who you were he alway had time for you. I found this to be true on the few occasions I met him. I count myself lucky to have done so. I too was shocked and distressed to hear of Steve's death. Please pass on my condolences to Mary, their children and the rest of his family. Steve, during his time with the NUT has set us a very high standard and many fine examples that will be difficult to achieve. May he rest in peace. He was a great man and a great human being. We will miss him and he shall never be forgotten. Colin Eaton. Halton Division Secretary.

I didn't know Mr Sinnott very well at all, but felt it very important to share my brief encounter with him. I'm a manual worker at the NUT and was carrying out my duties one morning when I was greeted with a very enthusiastic "Good morning, how are you." Some might say, millions of people greet each other in a similar way in the workplace everyday, but it was only some time afterwards that I discovered this man was NUT general secretary who afforded the time to wish me a nice day despite the gulf in job positions. To me, Mr Sinnott was a very fair and unassuming man who whatever you're position within the company or life, treated you with the utmost respect. His passing will be a huge loss for the NUT, and an unimaginable loss for his family. A manual worker - Islington

I shook Steve's hand at Conference to receve an award on behalf of a colleague. I admired his passion for education and determination to see teachers valued more. My sympathies to Steve's family. Terry Garner - Southend

I was very sad to hear of the loss of Mr Sinnott my form teacher from Shorefields Comprehensive School. My thoughts go out to his wife, son and daughter at this sad time..... A lovely man and great teacher...... Kimberly Blakemore - Liverpool

Thank you for all your hard work 'fighting our corner'. My thoughts are with your family at this sad time. Rachel Wheatley - Wirral

Although I have been a member of the Union for over forty years, Steve was the only General Secretary with whom I have had a personal conversation. He seemd to care very much about what the Union was trying to do. The first time I spoke to him was when he came to a NQ function in Norwich and he seemd to make it his job to speak to as many perople as he could. The second time was as a union delegation to Norfolk to speak to the County Council and to convince them to save the county music serivce from closing down. It was successful and I am sure that this had an effect on the decision to continue to fund it. The last time I spoke to him was last year at Harrogate, in the street, as he was going to a function. He stopped and had a chat. What a big hearted person he was. As a delegate to Conference, I have noticed how, as soon as he became General Secretary he was able to unite all factions of opinion within the Union. This certainly has been a great morale booster and gives us the feeling that we belong to one great union, instead of a number of arguing factions. Let us hope that Steve's influence will continue to be felt in this way weel into the future. Peter Ayers - Norfolk

As NUT Deputy General Secretary, Steve led the national negotiations on local authority staff pay and conditions in the Soulbury Committee. His efforts to bring together the union side and secure a positive outcome for members showed how he would later serve NUT members as their General Secretary. AEP. ASPECT and NAYCEO - the other trade unions on whose members' behalf Steve negotiated - wish to pass on their condolences to Steve's family and to the NUT. Andrew Morris - Officers' Side Secretary, Soulbury Committee

I was very lucky to have Steve Sinnott as my Economics teacher at Broughton High School during the early 80s. He was an inspirational teacher and I am so sad to hear of his untimely death. Jill Cox (nee Cuthbert) - Cheshire

We would like to express our condolences and how much his presence will be sadly missed. We all admired his leadership as Secretary of the NUT and the unity that he inspired in his members. Evelyn Smith Luton Divisional Secretary on behalf of myself and the Committee. Evelyn Smith - Luton

Our sympathy to Steve's family and his colleagues in NUT on your tragic loss. We met Steve on a number of occasions and he was always impressive - caring, committed, warm and friendly. We are all the poorer at his passing and oppressed people everywhere have lost a great champion. May he rest in peace. Noreen & Denis Bohane - Irish National Teachers Organisation

While I did not have the honour of meeting Steve in person, I read and heard so much about him. Was indeed a champion for the rights of teachers and the development of education.He will be a loss to his family, friends, NUT, EI and education in general. Fare the well good and faithful servant. Eugene Norville - Trinidad and Tobago

This great loss is painfully irreparable but we take consolation that his memory lingers on.The saying that death is nature's way of telling us to `slow down` is true here.Steve has not died but only slowed down as his landmark legacies will live with us for ever and ever. May his soul rest in perfect peace. Alieu Deen-Conteh - Chevening Scholar: Ruskin College, Oxford. (from Sierra Leone)

Steve was an outstanding servant to trade unionism, and stood up for education in Britain and across the world. He provided excellent leadership for fair pay for teachers. We in Windsor and Maidenhead are thinking of his family at this time. David Wills - Windsor and Maidenhead

The news of Steve'e death filled me with great sadness. Not only has the NUT lost a wonderful leader, the education world has lost a true champion. Steve really cared and felt that every child did matter. My own memories are of him being guest speaker at the 'Hambledon Tea' where his easy manner and good humour charmed everyone there, NUT members and non-members alike. My thoughts and prayers go to his wife and family and to his colleagues in the NUT who must carry on the work Steve had planned. Chris Hall - Past Secretary - Hambledon assocn

I met Steve once at Stoke Rochford when I was on a new reps course and he was such a nice man. He took the time to come in and thank us for the work that we were doing and made us feel like we were really important. He will be sadly missed, especially by his family, who I send my sincerest condolences to. Sandra Silvester - Ashford

I didn't always agree with the content of some of Steve's many speeches to Conference over the last 20 years, that I have been regularly attending. But I never doubted his sincerity or committment, and indeed found found many of his early speeches particularly rousing and good to listen to. A staunch supporter and ally to us all. God bless and rest in peace. Ian Buckley – Calderdale

It was a real pleasure to work with Steve during the two years that I have been on the national executive. His loss is such a shock. He seemed so fit and well and was so enthusiastic that all of us are taken aback. Steve was so much more than just a bread and butter trades unionist. He was a passionate opponent of social inequality, racism and homophobia and took great pleasure in using his position as general secretary to advance work in all these areas. He was outraged at the racist murder of Anthony Walker in his home town of Liverpool and worked with Anthony's mother to set up an annual memorial lecture as a contribution to the fight against racism. He worked with Gus John and a panel of black youngsters to develop a charter for the education of black boys that the NUT is promoting. He became a strong advocate of a political fund to allow the union to directly oppose the British National Party (BNP) and the success of our ballot for a political fund is a tribute to him. Steve was a passionate supporter of educational opportunities for working class children and a defender of the comprehensive ideal of good local schools for all. He spoke on anti-academies platforms the length and breadth of the country and gave direct union support to campaigning work on the issue. But it is around the pay dispute that activists have the most reason to be thankful to Steve. He was willing to work with all within the union to move the pay fight forward and was robust and persuasive in organising for action. The best tribute as so many others have said – and the one that Steve would wish for – is a huge turnout on the strike day on 24 April and a united movement in the union to win the dispute. Kevin Courtney - Camden

I would first like to extend my deepest sympathy to Steve's family at this terribly sad time. Having very recently lost my wife, I can genuinely appreciate the utter devastation they must be feeling. And no, words cannot convey the deep sense of despair, incomprehension, grief and pain they will be experiencing at every turn. They will be missing him every second of every day, I am certain. On a personal level, it was a huge shock to hear of Steve's sudden and untimely death. I started working at Hamilton House at almost exactly the same time Steve was elected as General Secretary. I was quickly struck by the genuine concern he had for staff welfare, and by the way he would routinely take the time to pause on the stairs or in the corridor to chat to individual members of staff. Such exchanges would unfailingly make staff feel so valued and appreciated - which in turn would strengthen staff loyalty and commitment to the organisation. Bosses of Steve's calibre are rare indeed. In meetings I have attended in my capacity as UNITE Health and Safety Representative, I was fortunate to witness at first hand his personable and approachable style - combining just the right balance of resolve and determination with a lovely sense of humour which could defuse tension at a stroke and help secure agreement amongst the differing viewpoints of those present. It was all these qualities and many more which made Steve the hugely valued person he was; respected by teachers, government ministers, international development organisations and NUT staff to name but a few. It seems impossible to imagine the NUT, and indeed the wider world, without him. But the lives of the countless people have been brightened by Steve's vision, his courage, his compassion and his wit. Such qualities will endure, and the lives of all who knew Steve will be immeasurably enriched as a consequence. Patrick Bennett Professional Assistant, Conditions of Service/Health and Safety Department, NUT HQ; UNITE Health and Safety Rep.

A great leader who drew the Union out of the mediocrity of the recent past and helped it to find its way again. A trajic loss to the profession. John Perry – St Helens

Deepest sympathy to Steve's family. Debra Mason – Portsmouth

I only met Steve in Nov 2007 and then again, in Jan 2008, but we spent enough time together for me to build up a picture of the type of person he was. I found him to be caring and kind towards people he did not even know and seemed passionate about helping children all around the world. In Jan 2008, when I last met him, he gave me his umbrella so that I wouldn't get wet. Instead, he happily chose to get wet and even found it funny - That was Steve! He had a great sense of justice and fairness, as he always seemed to look at an issue from all angles and did his upmost to build bridges with everyone. He also spoke very proudly of his wife; Mary, whom I also had the pleasure of meeting in Nov 2007 and I thought they seemed to be cut from the same cloth. He showed me photos of his grandchildren, on his mobile. I could tell that he was very fond of his family and we both swapped stories of our families. He also motivated me in my work and told me (in Jan 2008), "Others may try to put your efforts down, but stay strong and never give up hope. You're on the right track." It's such a shame that the good die young - I think he will be extremely missed by all who knew him. Seema McArdle – Croydon

Thank you Steve for all your work in the NUT and raising the profile of the teaching profession. May we all learn from your example. Hilary Farrell – Norfolk

I heard Steve speak at a local meeting several years ago and he came over as a genuine person. My sympathies to his family. Ann Corbally - Staffs

This is got to be a great loss to our society. I don't know him personaly, but his professionalism is without any doubt. My condolences to Steve's family and God bless. We will miss you, Steve. Robert Kay – Enfield

Mr Sinnott was one of the few voices to be heard and respected by those outside of the teaching profession. A great loss for us all, as our'profession' needs more people like him to stand up and be counted. My thoughts go to his family at this awful time. Be comforted by the fact that he was respected within his profession. Fiona – Bromley

So sorry. Anne Brown – Barnet

Steve was an inspiration as a leader and a trade unionist. As a young teacher I felt encouraged, supported and valued as a part of the NUT due to Steve’s approach. His public speaking was captivating and his ability to build bridges between those divided on opinion was exceptional. My thoughts go to his family and friends. Emma WIlson – Cardiff Association

We are stunned. Steve was a man who always made time to stop and share a chat, no matter how busy his schedule, no matter how soon his next train would be arriving, no matter how well he knew you, no matter who else was waiting in the queue, no matter that his food at an NUT dinner might be getting cold, no matter that he might want to sit down, no matter that it might be raining, no matter what. We'd like to say thank you to Mary and the rest of Steve's family for sharing him with us all in the NUT. With our deepest sympathy, from us all in Flintshire NUT. Lynda Hall – Flintshire Division Secretary

I met Steve on a number of occasions and was always impressed by his drive, passion and commitment. He was a great leader of the NUT, taking enormous pride in his position and working tirelessly on behalf of teachers and students. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family. Nichola Robertshaw – Sheffield

Absolutely shocked at the sudden death of Steve Sinnott. Such a sad loss to teachers, pupils and all NUT members. Sincere condolences to his family. Geof Walker – York

So sad to hear the news of Mr Sinnot's untimely death. Deepest sympathy. Veronica Kaneti – Islington, London

Our condolences go out to Steve's family at this sad time. Matthew Waterfall – Hackney Unison

Steve was a man of great humnity, integrity and compassion. he was a colleague and friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew him or came into contact with him. I am proud to have known him. My condolences and thoughts go to Mary and his children at this sad time. Bill Muir - Newcastle upon Tyne

The TUC Pensioners Committee was very saddened to learn of the death of Steve Sinnott. The committee members have asked for their condolences to be recorded. The hard work he put in over the years was much appreciated by the Committee. TUC Pensioners Committee

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Steve's death. I admired his strong sense of justice and his conviction. He was a good man and fantasic at putting people at their ease. The first time I met him was when he spoke at one of our General Meetings. I saw him a few days later outside HH...he was busy and talking to someone but he came over for a chat, asked how people had responded to his talk and then gave me a hug. I was made up! My condolences to his family. Ratchel Wills – Redcar and Cleveland

I was deeply shocked and saddedned to hear of the untimely death of Mr Sinnott. He was my Economics teacher at Broughton High School during 1987/90. He was the best teacher you could have asked for and cared deeply about his pupils. The last time I saw him was at the school reunion at the Guild Hall in Preston and he hadnt changed a bit! Still down to earth and a lovely guy! My deepest sympathies go to his family. A great loss. x Michelle Tickle (nee Coulson) – Preston Lancs

I was deeply shocked at the news of Steve's too early death. He was a man of integrity, humour and generosity, a good leader and would have gone on to have been one of the great leaders of the NUT. I personally shall miss him as will his family, the union and the profession. Very much sympathy to his wife Mary and his family. Terry Mortimer - North Somerset

Steve was a committed and highly respected leader of the union, as well as being a warm, friendly and genuine person. My sincere condolences go to his wife Mary. He will be greatly missed. Jane Watkinson - Herts CC

I have only relatively recently become an active member of the Union since taking over as Division Secretary in Peterborough in September 2007 but it was soon very clear to me how important Steve Sinnott`s inspirational leadership was as a unifying force, for the Union,totally commited to preserving comprehensive ideals,equality of opportunity and the future quality of state education for all children. The unity and resolve shown by members at this year`s Manchester Conference was clear evidence of his astute, principled leadership.His dedicated work over many years for the NUT will remain on record as an enduring tribute. On behalf of the Peterborough Division Council and all NUT members in Peterborough I pass on sincere condolences and sympathy to Steve`s wife and family ! where his loss will be felt most deeply. Andy Willis – Peterborough

Shocked and with deepest regret I heard about Steves sudden death. It has been a pleasure to cooperate with Steve in all those long years - he was one of the not too many Union leaders who were able to combine political and professional abilities with a warm-hearted and deep human and human rights committment, never loosing ground, with a good sense of humour and always a positive approach that stimulated and "infected" others. Sad to loose such a good international comrade and friend. Christoph Heise – Former International Secretary of the German Union GEW

I didnt know Steve personally but I heard that he was a leader who wanted to be inclusive. Reading the comments of personal friends and colleagues it is clear that Steve commanded both respect and warmth. We need more leaders like Steve. Steve Harrison – Hammersmith and Fulham

Steve had a thoroughly engaging personality. He was warm-hearted, generous and seemingly possessed of a tireless and cheerful optimism. These qualities, together with a determination for justice and equality, marked him out as a good man and worthy leader of our union. And so it was proving to be. Under his stewardship, the NUT is once again in it's rightful place, leading the profession in a struggle for fair, rational and sane policies in place of the demoralising nonsense that dogs the education service. That's inspirational, and I thank him for it. I'm proud to have known him and to be a member of the same union. Our loss is surpassed only by that of his family. My thoughts are with them at this very sad time. Doug Macari – Medway

Sadly I never had the opportunity to see or hear Steve speak live But I am grateful that his drive and commitment and seen the NUT make a determined stand on many issues especially the forthcoming strike over pay I trust that NUT members will show good faith and honour Steve by giving their full support to the strike on April 24th. Ian Matthews – City of Derby

Words fail me.What a tragedy in the truest sense of the word. Heartfelt sympathy to Steve's family and close friends. On a professional level ,Steve will be sorely missed for his energy and enthusiam as well as his knowledge and understanding of topics as diverse as International Dev. overseas and the Pay of teachers in UK. He was our best General Secretary in decades, committed to enhancing the lives of all teachers either here in UK or overseas.He spoke eloquently and with passion on all the important issues. He has had his life cut short just as he was at the pinnacle of a career in the service of others. Sue Barrell – Bromley

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