NUT leader Steve Sinnott dies
7 Apr 2008
‘Steve was a passionate advocate for teachers and a great believer in the power of education to transform the life chances of children’
Colleagues at the union are promising to forge ahead with strike action as a mark of respect for Sinnott’s devotion to the cause
Steve Sinnot, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, has died aged 56.
Sinnott died of a suspected heart attack on Saturday morning at home. He leaves a wife and two children.
Sinnott’s death comes just days after the union voted for its first national strike for more than 20 years. Colleagues at the union are promising to continue the one-day strike action over pay as a mark of respect to the teacher and trade unionist, who had warned of a return to teacher shortages and low morale in classrooms if signifcant change was not forthcoming.
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said Sinnott had been ‘inspirational in his devotion to teaching, not just for children in Britain, but around the world.’
Ed Balls, secretary of state for children, schools and families, also paid tribute: ‘Steve was a passionate advocate for teachers and a great believer in the power of education to transform the life chances of children and young people. We shared a common goal to put the interests of all children and young people at the heart of our policies.’
