Sean represented disabled workers on our EC – indeed, no-one else has ever done so in Unite’s history. He was a tireless champion for disabled people, and he ensured that their particular interests were never overlooked in any of our debates. He was always well-briefed, and everyone from government ministers down knew from experience how persistent he could be in championing the rights of disabled workers.
Sean also represented Unite on the General Council of the TUC, and chaired the TUC’s disability committee. He was formerly chair of our own National Disabled Members Committee, was active in his region, London & Eastern, and was Disability Officer for the London Labour Party. He poured all his energies into building our union and the movement, and we will cherish the memories of his comradeship and commitment.
As with others we have lost, we will mark Sean’s passing properly when it is possible to do so – however, the greatest memorial to his life and work must be to pick up and carry forward the cause of the rights of disabled workers which he championed to the last.