Mary Turner, longtime president of GMB, dies after long illness

Mary Turner, a longstanding president of the GMB union, has died. Turner, who was also a Labour party executive member, was the UK’s most senior female union leader.

Former GMB general secretary Sir Paul Kenny described her as the most outstanding female trade unionist of her generation, while others described her as a giant of the union movement.

The Tipperary-born former school meals assistant from London had been ill for years but continued in her post as president, chairing the GMB’s annual conference in Plymouth last month.

Kenny said: “Mary never lost her roots. She was hardworking and treated everyone the same – from prime ministers to cleaners. She was a powerful figure in the Labour party as well as the trade union movement.”

Tim Roache, GMB’s current general secretary said he was heartbroken by her loss.

He said: “The word giant is sometimes overused but in the case of Mary she really was a true giant of our movement. Mention the name Mary Turner and people will smile and say she had that unique blend of fighting spirit mixed with care and compassion.

“She has left this world having made a real difference to people’s lives, that’s something we are all proud of and that GMB will never forget. Be it fighting for dinner ladies in Brent, for hungry kids to have a free school lunch, for pensions, for young people, against discrimination and the National Front, Mary has led our movement.

“They broke the mould when they made Mary Turner, she will be deeply missed by her GMB family, including her beloved London Region. Mary may be gone, but she has left behind a union that will ensure the values and principles she fought her whole life for, will always endure.”

He added: “Our thoughts and love are with Mary’s family, whom she loved so very much.”

From the day she started work at the age of 16, Turner was a trade unionist. First joining the Tailor and Garment Workers Union when she worked at Jackson’s Tailors on London’s Oxford Street.

When she returned to work in 1970 after having children, she became a dinner lady in Brent and quickly began organising the female workers who were poorly paid, untrained and treated badly.

She developed a lifelong passion that she would campaign on for decades to come – free school meals. Having seen hungry children and the stigma of those who had to queue separately for free school meals, she ensured free school meals became Labour party policy.

Elected GMB national president in 1997, she represented the GMB on the National Executive Committee of the Labour party.

In a statement, the GMB said: “From feeding 600 young marchers during the people’s March for Jobs in the 1980s, to fighting the National Front and leading, recruiting and supporting thousands of low paid workers, Mary has led our movement.”

Turner received a CBE in recognition of her lifetime’s work for trade union members throughout the UK.

At the time, she said: “I’ve come a long way since being employed by Brent borough council working in school kitchens and my commitment to healthy eating and free school meals.

“Since then I’ve worked endlessly for the Trade Union movement and also my involvement with The Labour Party and battling the Tories and the challenges we all face.”

Labour MPs and union leaders took to Twitter to pay tribute. Diane Abbot said: “Dinner lady, superstar and titan of the Labour movement.”

Former Labour party leader Ed Miliband said: “Mary Turner was an extraordinary battler for social justice, equality and working people. Labour has lost one of a kind and one of our best.”

Karen Buck, Labour MP for Westminster North, paid tribute to Turner soon after the news broke, describing her as a “star”.

Sky News presenter Kay Burley posted a picture of Turner with the GMB logo emblazoned on her arm and said: “My dad will look out for you.”

Iain McNicol, general secretary of the Labour party said: “Am proud to have known and campaigned with Mary Turner – a phenomenal caring and compassionate woman.”