Sue Allan, UNISON Portsmouth City Branch

We are very sad to report that UNISON Portsmouth City Branch Union Learning Coordinator Sue Allan passed away unexpectedly on 14 September 2020.

The news of Sue’s death shocked the branch and regional team and our condolences go out to all her family, friends and work colleagues.

Sue was a committed trade unionist and always stood up for fairness and justice in the workplace. Sue was always happy to give up her time to represent the branch at national conferences and meetings along with try new initiatives. Sue had great character and a wonderful sense of humour which always made working with her fun.

Sue had been a very active member in the Portsmouth City UNISON branch for a number of years, representing members as well as taking on a number of officer roles within the branch.

Sue was jointly working with Portsmouth City Council to run workshops for staff at the council, including stress and confidence building and was working on functional maths courses at Highbury College for members. Sue was very passionate about members having access to education and believed strongly in life-long learning.

One of Sue’s roles at the Council was as tenancy support for vulnerable people. Alan Tier, Co-Branch Secretary commented how Sue had a brilliant way of humanising the problem beyond the figures for people in debt. Alan went on to say that having talked about her various projects and roles through the years, Sue’s efforts, passion and warmth will be missed by a significant number of people from a very broad and diverse background.

Sue hailed from Blackburn and was very proud of her northern roots. When Sue was in the room, there had not been a reason not to smile.

Sue was a lovely person, outstanding trade unionist and she had real pride and dedication in her work for the Housing service. We shall miss her terribly but will remember her with great fondness.