Tireless supporter of trade union struggles
Throughout his adult life Bernie Hynes was a staunch fighter for the rights of working class and oppressed people. But in the course of his many battles he never lost his sense of humour.
I first met him in 1984 in the midst of the miners' strike, where he was centrally involved in support work for the "Dirty Thirty" - the striking Leicestershire miners.
His easy-going personality and tireless work in the labour movement, both as a long time steward in his own union and in support of other workers in dispute, endeared him to all grass-roots militants he came in contact with.
He will be particularly remembered in the Leicester Irish community and amongst Troops Out movement activists throughout the country for his unflinching support for the Irish Republican movement.
Unfortunately towards the end of his life he was hounded by certain people in the bureaucracy of his own union, UNISON, who to their eternal shame connived with management to remove him as a steward even though he received the continued support and confidence of his fellow workers.
Despite this Bernie's fighting spirit remained undimmed up until his death. He will be sorely missed.
Mark Shotter, Nottingham Socialist Outlook