Kevin Curran (trade unionist)
Kevin Barry Curran (born 20 August 1954) is a former British trade unionist.
Curran left school and worked as a welder, installing boilers at power stations. Concerned about asbestos at Thurrock Power Station, he became a shop steward in his trade union, organising a walkout which won better working conditions there. He studied at the London School of Economics on a union bursary from 1979 but, on completing his studies, was unable to find work in the industry, believing himself to have been blacklisted for his union activities.[1]
Curran found work running a training scheme for welders, and continued his activity in what became the GMB. He began working-full time for the union as a regional health and safety officer in 1988,[1] and was promoted to regional organiser in 1990. He later became a regional industrial organiser, then regional secretary for the north, before being elected as general secretary in 2003.[2] He defeated Paul Kenny in the election, but was accused of breaking the union's campaign rules.[3] He denied the allegations, but was suspended from office in 2005 as the investigation continued, and opted to resign from the post.[4]
Curran took a post as an international co-ordinator for the International Union of Food and Allied Workers, then in 2007 left trade unionism to become a tree surgeon.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Profile of the new GMB boss", BBC News, 16 April 2003
- ^ a b "Curran, Kevin Barry", Who's Who
- ^ Kevin Maguire, "Inquiry as GMB leader accused of rigging ballots", The Guardian, 20 December 2004
- ^ "Curran stands down as GMB leader", BBC News, 7 April 2005