STEVE SINNOTT

1951-2008

Your Tributes

I only met Steve twice and one was when I chaired a 'Make Poverty' discussion in Derby and Steve was one of the speakers.When he spoke he spoke from the heart and impressed all and his warmth affected everybody. Before and after when we chatted it was like talking to somebody you had known for a long time and who respected you. I could never imagine him being remote and our Union has lost the perfect leader. Peter Gibbon – Derby

To Mary and your children, to the leadership, staff, and all members of the National Union of Teachers, I extend my deepest sympathies for your most tragic loss. The National Union of Teachers and the Massachusetts Teachers Association have had a very special relationship for nearly twenty years. As president, I, like the presidents before and since, are invited each year to the NUT Conference and to be part of the international guests’ program and, by extension, the NUT family. Our inclusion in all things NUT makes us feel as if we are, in fact, honorary members of the National Union of Teachers—a great honor for all MTA presidents. It was Steve’s dedication and commitment to education, educators, and children, his belief that educators are great advocates for those subjected to human rights violations, and his entreaty to us all to stand united in our universal struggle for quality education for all children that stands out so vividly in my memory. It was difficult not to be caught up in his passion, and even though he may not have been in the eye’s view, his presence was always felt. I read that you will go forward with the April 24 strike and hope that it will be wildly successful and that its success will be Steve’s legacy as NUT General Secretary. The work he has done around the globe on behalf of children and educators has already left its imprint, and I have no doubt that it will be invoked for many years to come. I wish you, Mary, and your family, the NUT leadership, and staff a swift passage of time so that the pain of this loss will become easy remembrances. Cathy Boudreau– President, Massachusetts Teachers Association 2002-2006 and member of the National Education Association Board of Directors, USA.

So sad to read just on the BBC website of the untimely death of Steve Sinnott. Our thoughts and prayers (good communist catholics that we are!) go to his family, friends and colleagues in the NUT. Dave & Anna Johnson – Derby

I only met Steve on a very few occasions, perhaps talking to him at greatest length when we shared a platform at a Make Poverty History meeting in Derby some years ago. Whenever I heard Steve speak his humility always impressed me – he genuinely regarded himself as a servant of teachers and of the NUT in particular, rather than its master. In my view, the trade union movement in this country would be much stronger if all trade union General Secretaries were to follow his example. I know that you will personally feel the loss of Steve very keenly. Please do be assured that the thoughts of many trade unionists in Derby are with you and other NUT comrades during this time. Derby Area Trades Union Council is also completely committed to solidarity with the NUT in the matter of its current pay dispute with the Government. I share with many NUT activists the view that a fitting tribute to Steve from the whole of the trade union movement would be to work together to ensure the success of your dispute, which would benefit hundreds of thousands of public sector workers. At the forthcoming Derby Silk Mill May Day March and Rally, where Bill Greenshields NUT President is speaking, a chaplet will be laid to commemorate those trade unionists who gave their lives for the movement together with Derby workers who have suffered and died because of capitalism. In keeping with this tradition, I would like to lay the chaplet this year in memoriam Steve Sinnott. Yours fraternally Dave Wilkinson (President, Derby Area Trades Union Council)

Steve was a man of great generosity of spirit. He was a unifyer with a tremendous passion for education, both here and abroad. The tributes from the Commonwealth show the scale of the impact he made. He will be greatly missed by the NUT, and also by the world outside it. Demitri Coryton – Devon

I was N Yorks Div Sec from 1985 - 1991 and an activist in the division from 1979. I knew Steve from his early days on the executive and he was one of the best and kindest people I knew. Even after I had moved on as a paid official with other Unions I remained an NUT member and never wavered in my view that Steve reflected what I believed this Union was all about. When I read that a Teacher's Union Secretary had died it was not Steve's name I expected to see. He is a great loss to the NUT and my sincere sympathy goes to Mary, his wife! Margaret John – York & North Yorkshire

I sincerely hope that your family find these tributes a source of comfort for what a truly wonderful man you were, someone I'm sure they cherished greatly. I recall meeting you at The Young Teacher's Event where you were a true inspiration. I throroughly enjoyed your anecdotes about your young grandchild, even your passion as a grandparent was evident. No time or space to say it all. God bless. x Kari Anson – President - The Wrekin Division

I met Steve on the first international development course at Stoke Rochford and was immediately struck by his warmth and enthusiasm. His belief and commitment towards international development issues was infectious. I hesitantly asked if he could visit my school and be interviewed about his beliefs, expecting refusal, or to be put off to a later time..he smiled and said he would be delighted. He visited a few weeks later and my respect and admiration for him grew..watching him with my students and seeing thier genuine delight that someone important was listening to them. I knew i had chosen a union on my wavelength and one that i could trust to do the right thing. I will really miss him, I hope the NUT can continue his incredible legacy. Sera Shortland – Leicester

A great bloke. Heard him him him speak on a couple of occasions. Inspirational. Passionate about education and children all over the world. A sad loss. Graham Shaw – Cheshire

My condolences to Mr Sinnott's family, friends and colleagues. He will be remembered for all the best reasons. Anne Hock – Popularis

Thank you for your hard work and dedication for our profession. Deepest sympathy to your family. Liz Lee – Warwickshire

I was very upset when I heard about Steve's sudden death. I remember Steve from a short teaching practice at Broughton High School 21 years ago and found him very friendly and supportive. My mum knew Steve from her involvement with the NUT in Lancaster and phoned me when she heard the sad news on the radio. We are both shocked and know he will be a huge loss to the teaching profession and his family. Camille Brownlee (nee Blamire) – Cumbria

Steve will be greatly missed for so many reasons not least of which is because of his tireless work in and dedication to all aspects of the activities he undertook for the NUT over such a long period. I have found him to be a decent man and his recent visit to a school in Barnsley specifically to speak to and with members in connection with the Union's pay campaign demonstrated his willingness to engage and promote this important campaign. He will be much missed by so may who are shocked by his untimely end. Pete Bevis – Barnsley Div Sec. & S.Yorks NEC member

Steve came across has a warm, caring person when I met him last November. I was shocked to hear about his death. My condolences to his family. J Campbell – Haringey

A truly nice man. A great loss to education and the trade union movement but a greater loss to Mary, the children and grandchildren. He will be missed by everyone who had the privilege to meet him. Colin, Tim, Sonny and Chris – Paragraphics

A man of the people, gracious and yet determined to do right by all children. A sad day for the teaching profession as a whole to have lost a leader with such principles. Our deepest sympathy to his family who have so willingly shared his life with so many. Sally and Donald Mlewa – Bristol

My deepest sympathy goes to Steve's family, his close friends and his colleagues who must be utterly devastated by his sudden and unexpected death. In South Notts we were shocked and terribly saddened by the news. As a trade unionist, I feel strongly the one of the best legacies we can offer Steve is for us to build for a massive turnout on April 24th, and to ensure that we continue to fight for what he set in place beyond the strike day. Sarah-Leigh Barnett – South Nottinghamshire

I would just like to place on record Steve's pivotal role in setting up the Union's magazine 'The Teacher' in its present format back in 1989. As the first chair of the editorial board, Steve appreciated the importance of how the Union communicates with its members and that for many 'The Teacher' is their primary source of information about the Union and its activities. As Union president, and then as deputy general secretary and general secretary, Steve always maintained his support for and interest in 'The Teacher'. Its mix of trade union and educational and national and international items stands as yet another testimony to Steve's work. Mitch Howard – Essex

I first met Steve 5 years ago after he delivered a typically inspiring speech at our AGM. A year later as President of our association I was immensely proud to introduce him as our new General Secretary at the same event. He showed that night his great talent for being down to earth despite having beeen recently elected to such a lofty position. He took a real interest in the imminent birth of my son, quickly whipping out snaps of his own grandchild to share his joy with my wife Lindsey and I. I went on to meet him several times after that and he always gave his time freely, as others have said, showing a genuine interest in association work. He should rightly be remembered as a campaigner for the power of education all over the planet, as a great trade unionist and leader. Fear! less and peerless he was simply inspirational. Lets continue to shine his torch and go forward together in solidarity. Robin Head – Somerset

Members of Tomlinscote School, Camberley, wish to pass on their condolences to Mr Sinnott's family. The NUT have lost a truly inspirational leader. Laurence Foley – Surrey

My deepest sympathies towards the family of Steve Sinnott and Jerry Glazier his friend and collaborator. Luis Fernando Rodriguez – Southend-on-Sea

A brilliant man with huge integrity, who will be missed on so many levels by the teaching profession. My thoughts are with colleagues, friends and family. Will Thomas – Worcestershire

I am devastated by the news of Steve's death. A true champion for teachers and children and a good friend. Mandy Howarth - Lancashire

Heard you speak at Conference when I was a young upstart many moons ago - now i'm an older upstart and it was your leadership over recent months and voice of leadership and all round goodness that has united this union more than ever before. Nice man - always a teacher. Mark O'Callaghan - Milton Keynes

Steve Sinnott taught me Sociology at Broughton High School in 1985. We thought he was a brilliant teacher and always had a good laugh with him whilst learning. My mum Yvonne Blundell used to work in the kitchen at the school and always remembers his good sense of humor. He will be sadly missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family at this time. Jacqueline Blundell – Lancashire

It was a real shock to us all on the Sefton NUT executive, to learn of Steve's sudden passing. The teaching profession has lost a real leader. I had only met him personally a couple of times, but you did not have to know him well to recognise that he was a person of complete integrity, warmth, genuineness and inspiring competence. I feel as if I have lost a friend, even though we couldn't have spoken together for a total of more than ten minutes! Steve's positive influence on behalf of education will continue to be an inspiration for years to come. Clarence Harvey – SEFTON

Steve's passing seems so cruel and unjust. A life unfinished but not unfulfilled. Thank you Steve. Bill McIntyre – France

I remember Steve as a passionate advocate of teachers. He came to Darlington a few years ago to speak to Newly Qualified Teachers. I remember the passion as he told them what an important and rewarding career they were embarking upon. I met Steve on a number of occasions. He visited my school. I would like his family to know that they are in the thoughts of Darlington members at this time. It was a privelidge to know Steve. Chris Taylor – Division Secretary, Darlington

The only teachers' leader willing to try and confront head on the commercialisation of society, childhood and our schools too. A true visionary. Rest in peace. Gary Wilkinson – Hull

Thank you Steve for leading the union's work in International Development. You supported me visiting Zambia and setting up links with schools there which will last into the future. I will always remember the part you played in encouraging me. Kate Hale – Cornwall

Thank you for your balanced and professional leadership. You showed real care for the future of education in this country in its widest sense. You will be missed by all of us in schools. Suzanne Newman – Devon

With deepest respect for a man who embodied all that is best in the teaching profession. Peter Hawkridge – Rotherham

A real teacher and a true gentleman.He will be missed. May his good work continue. Julie Redpath – Warwickshire

Steve was a committed teacher, trade unionist and internationalist. He organised the first NUT delegation to Cuba and it was obvious talking together going around the island that the trip had a profound effect on him. Long afterwards he continued to express his enthusiasm at what had been achieved by the education system in Cuba with such meagre resources in the context of the US blockade and his belief that if Cuba could do it then it could also be done across the globe. Steve had a strong sense of justice and was deeply angered and outraged by the callous hardships that many children face across the world – he was angered at the exploitation of child labour, the destruction of children’s lives in war zones, the suffering of children resulting from malnutrition and curable diseases and the callous casual violence inflicted on them in areas of conflict. On one occasion when he returned from visiting the General Union of Palestinian Teachers he recounted a story of watching a disabled Palestinian child trying to get to school over rubble piled up by the Israeli army to form one of the many roadblocks. He conveyed a real sense of admiration for the determination of the Palestinian people to ensure their children got the best education they could in the circumstances. Steve was first and foremost an educationalist – deeply committed to the ideals of comprehensive education, determined in his opposition to the privatising anti- comprehensive attacks of the Thatcher government and the policies of the current Government. On a personal note I will always treasure the plaque he gave me to commemorate my 25 years on the Executive and remember his delight at springing the surprise on me at the Executive. I well remember many discussions about football and caravanning! Steve will be deeply mourned by the Union and his many friends in the trade union movement here and abroad. Our thoughts are with Mary and his family. Carole Regan (President 1996-7) Bernard Regan (National Executive 1981-2006)

I didn't have the pleasure of knowing him personally, but having heard him speak at so many conferences, his sincerity and passion as a union leader and as an educator shone through. It is a terrible blow, particularly at this time when we so needed his leadership. A fitting tribute would be the success of the action he worked so hard to put into place on April 24th. Yvonne Rushmere – Northumberland

Thanks for all your hard work and support of the profession. My thoughts are with your family. Dean Hudd – North Somerset

Great memories of Steve's visits to Sutton and the first conference which I attended at Scarborough. Feeling that I almost knew Steve through John Burns and glad that I was able to attend conference this year. Nancy Bonney – London Borough of Sutton

Thanks Steve for yor hard work and commitment. Our thoughts are with your family at this time. God bless. Sue Howard – East Sussex

Steve was a good person. He had no edge, no self-importance, no selfishness, no cynicism. He cared - aboutinequality and injustice, about education and teachers, and about trade unionism. Rightly, he cared about injustice and poverty and social exclusion most of all.. He would constantly surprise us with how many causes he had found the time to become involved in. His goal was always to find ways of making things better, not just to complain abot them. During his time as NUT General Secretary, he worked to bring people together with great patience. He discussed and he listened. He shared his anxieties. Henever preached at others. His time was short, but he achieved a lot. He left the NUT a united, campaigning union. He left many other people coping with bigger problems than us with greater hope, greater determination because of what he had done. We will all miss him, but we will be inspired by the good that he did. Ian Murch -  Bradford

I remember Steve as a good friend from Abbotswood school in Liverpool. We were both lucky enough to pass the 13+, I can't remember which school Steve went to from there, we lost touch. However I remember him as being a Cilla Black fan!! My condolences to his family. Phil Fearon

I heard Steve speak at the 2007 young teachers conference and recently online through youtube. He spoke with conviction and determination and was a man of values and principles. I am sorry for your loss, it is sudden and unexpected. Paul Welch – Durham

As a fellow socialist teacher, I would just like to pay tribute to Steve by praising his leadership of your union, for having the courage to campaign that <4% is a pay cut. I hope you win your struggle with your pay campaign. Unfortunately Scottish teachers were not consulted on our pay agreement and our unions remain silent on this issue. If you win your struggle it would be a fitting tribute to Steve. Best Wishes. Gus Davidson - Scotland

Steve was committed to getting the best deal for pupils. He felt that this was best achieved by giving them the best teachers. Steve was one of those teachers. Preston Association will be a member short - a good member. The NUT will be a leader short - a good leader short. Liz Halpin - Preston

Having enjoyed Steve's company so recently at the Essex reception at Conference it was a huge shock to hear the sad news of his death. He was always an inspiring speaker never more so than in his final address to Conference this year. He also never lost touch with the ordinary teachers in the classroom. For him it was not only a case of every child matters but also every teacher matters. The world of education has lost a great leader and he will be greatly missed by all who met him. On behalf of all members in the Colchester and North East Essex Association I would like to offer our condolences to Steve's family. David Evans - Essex

My family and I are shocked to hear that our beloved friend Steve is not more with us. How cruel is life why the best people are going before their time we send our love to mary and to all the Sinnotts we will never forget Steve. Dov Erit Shai Orly Ronit. Dov Ronen - Israel

Still finding this difficult to believe, much of what I would like to say has been already said. One of my favourite memories of Steve is when he marched with a group of us on an Anti Poll Tax Demo and laughed at the silly slogans we were making up about teachers and the Poll Tax. A great loss to us all. My thoughts have been with Mary and his family all week. Tessa Bidgood - Worcestershire

I send a lot of love and my deepest sympathy to Mary, and to your children and grandchildren. Steve was an inspiration to all teachers - young and not so young. Somehow, it was always good to know he was out there, on our side. To those who mattered most to Steve, I am sure that spirit of love amd support is still there. With love - Sandy x Sandy Soanes - Watford, Herts

I was abroad when you died and so shocked when a friend broke the news of your death to me only yesterday. You were a leader to all of us and a friend to all of us, a "smashing bloke." When you said: "Teaching is the greatest job," you spoke sincerely and from the heart, and when you told us how privileged and proud you were to be the General Secretary of the greatest teaching union. that too, was the genuine article. Your goals were our goals and you showed how together we could achieve them: a decent local school for every child - whether in London, in Liverpool, in Sierra Leone, in Colombia, in Palestine....the list goes on. As a true socialist, your solidarity and internationalism knew no bounds. Whenever I saw you, whether talking to members in Newham or to children at our annual Refugees are Welcome in our Schools event, whether bumping around Cuba on a bus on the Teachers' Study Tour of '98 and being welcomed by those inspiring teachers and children who showed how much can be achieved with how little if you take a socialist path, whether hearing you on the podium at conference, you were always the same Steve: radiating optimism with that Liverpool lilt, helping us rise to every challenge. At home you led the fight for public services and for a decent wage and pension for every public service worker. That 75% YES vote says it all. What a pity you won't be there with us on April 24th, although we will have your memory and example to inspire us. Goodbye to a great leader and friend. My deepest sympathy to Mary and all the family. Pauline Fraser - Newham

Our deepest condolences to Steve's family and especially Mary. We knew Steve as a great friend of teachers in Australia and was distressed by the news of his premature passing. All the very best to all our friends in the NUT at this saddest of times. Ian and Liz Mackie - Queensland, Australia

The unexpected death of Steve has left a huge gap in the leadership of the NUT, particularly at this crucial time with the pay campaign. Although Steve was a relatively 'new' General Secreatary, his calm and confident manner always came through when seen or heard on the national Media, and inspired confidence in rank and file members. I express my condolences to his family and friends. Barrie Kemp - Luton

Steve's death has affected me more than I would have guessed. We did not always see eye to eye politically but his passion for education, children and Teachers always inspired me. The NUT in Knowsley will continue to fight for the ideals embodied in Steve's leadership now and in the future. Goodbye Steve. Doug Hinsley - Knowsley

A sad loss to teaching and the NUT. Thoughts go to the family at this difficult time. Trudy - Birmingham

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