NUT General Secretary Steve Sinnott dies.

[non sociopath skin]

Steve Sinnott, general secretary of one the biggest teaching unions in England and Wales, has died aged 56.

The National Union of Teachers, led by Mr Sinnott since 2004, said his sudden death on Saturday was "a tragic loss". He leaves a wife and two children.

PM Gordon Brown said the former teacher and unionist had been "inspirational in his devotion to teaching".

Mr Sinnott's death comes just days after the union voted for its first national strike for more than 20 years.

He was born in Liverpool and began his teaching career there in 1975, continuing teaching until his election as NUT deputy general secretary in 1994.

Mr Sinnott leaves a wife, Mary, a son, daughter and two grandchildren.

"Steve Sinnott was inspirational in his devotion to teaching, not just for children in Britain, but around the world," said the prime minister.

"His commitment to teachers and education will be remembered."

Rest at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7332251.stm

I’m deeply saddened by Steve’s death having been fortunate enough to meet him on several occasions. A warm, wise, compassionate man with a super sense of humour and the rare skill of being able to knock the most unyielding of heads together in the nicest possible way.

Just the kind of bloke we can least afford to lose in these troubled times…

The Skin

[LeftishBrit]

1. So sorry to hear this.

A good man, and died sadly young.

[billgreenshields]

2. Steve Sinnott - National Union of Teachers UK

From Bill Greenshields
President,National Union of Teachers

It's difficult to know where to start. Steve was just a great person - a great teacher, a great trade unionist, and a great mate.

He inspired everyone with the interests of children and education at heart. His underlying love of humanity shone through even the most routine of discussions - and when he was in full flow, he burned with passion, conviction and determination.

His sense of internationalism and solidarity took the Union into new places, where we are able to speak up together with the most oppressed and disadvantaged at home and abroad, and they know that we are absolutely genuinely on their side.

Steve's leadership unified the Union, allowing us to work in new ways that really reflect our membership, overcoming petty divisions to turn our fire in the right direction... and, when needed, Steve the careful diplomat could let fly in a way that made the enemies of education turn tail and run.

Steve's commitments - to state comprehensive education, to teachers, to active trade unionism and professional unity, to all children and in particular those from the toughest backgrounds, to human rights worldwide, to equalities and against all injustice - will live on and push us forward.

Steve was always prepared to stand up and be counted, to say what he thought and take responsibility as our General Secretary. But he had absolutely no pomposity or self-importance, and was never happier than when meeting with members in school or Union meetings, examining the Union view, arguing the toss - and always listening very carefully.

He was my General Secretary, my friend and comrade. The cruel blow of his death today has made this one of the worst days of my life. I can't tell you how much I miss him today, and I know I will go on missing him.

The expressions of genuine condolence from all quarters - from our own members and others in the world of education, from political figures including government ministers, from other trade unions, from community organisations, from our comrades in other countries - all show the high esteem in which Steve was held, and we are grateful for them.

We are all thinking of Mary and all the others of Steve's family of whom he was so proud... and all I can say to them is that we will all keep Steve in our hearts, and we'll do everything we can to live up to his fantastic example.

Steve, we loved you. Goodbye mate.

[non sociopath skin]

3. A deep, heartfelt and eloquent tribute, Mr. President

Thank you for sharing.

The Skin

[non sociopath skin]

4. And meanwhile "moderate" Conservative sites are still peddling ...

... "Stuck In The Eighties" crap like this ...

http://freebritannia.6.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=8751

... from our old friend "Bulldog"'s website

Still, I guess if you devote your whole life to waiting for the Second Coming of the Blessed Thatcher, you lose perspective a little.

:evilgrin:

The Skin

[LeftishBrit]

5. Ugh

Well, the only thing the Thatcherites despise worse than schools and teachers is a trade union, so as NUT combines both, it makes sense (or at least RW sense, which I realize is a contradiction in terms) that the righties would bash them.

[non sociopath skin]

6. The blogger quoted purports to be a black Inner-London teacher ...

... who supports Boris Johnson for Mayor and has lots of friends in the private sector.

Bet you don't get many of them in a pound!

The Skin

[Morris Onions]

7. Pah!

What a load of right wing tosspots and wankers eh!

Can't imagine why anyone would ever post on a site like that!

What Ho Skin? ;)

[non sociopath skin]

8. Sorry, am I missing something old chap?

:evilgrin:

The Skin

[Morris Onions]

9. Expect so!

:evilgrin: