Unionists and members of the Illawarra community have remembered the contribution of former AMWU official Steve Quinn, who has passed away at the age of 80.

Mr Quinn was crucial to ensuring that the 1980s ‘Button Plan’ for manufacturing included the steel industry in the Illawarra.

He was remembered as a staunch campaigner on behalf of working people and a thoughtful and committed unionist in the tradition of the mindfully militant AMWU.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver, paid tribute to his leadership in refusing to accept the death of the steel industry.

“His action ensured that a vital manufacturing industry survived and is still providing good jobs for workers in the Illawarra.

In 2004, writing a paper on the internationally significant 1982 coalminers sit-in at the Kemira Colliery, Mr Quinn reflected on the change that had come to the Illawarra’s and Australia’s industrial landscape during his time.

“So if the environment and the culture that bonded us together in all our working lives have changed and continue to change, we may find it difficult to repeat exactly the type of industrial action that had been the way working people fought the boss prior to globalisation.”

“If that is so, we may well say the Kemira sit-in was the last big strike of its kind, allowing me to state, industrially speaking: the sun has now set on the people of Kemira, and for all those involved, you have done us proud.

“And now the names of the men of Kemira, the names of the women of Kemira and the names of the children of Kemira will forever emblazon the immortal pages of working-class history.”

Mr Quinn is survived by his wife Barbara, children Jane, Anthony and Fiona and four grandchildren.