It is with deep sadness that on behalf of our NSW Clerical & Administrative Branch, we advise of the passing of Sinead Francis Coan, Secretary of our NSW C&A Branch, active member of our USU Women’s Committee, and former USU delegate of the year.
Sinead was a passionate activist for the USU, and will be sorely missed by many, not only for her significant contributions to our movement, but also for her ever-positive attitude and welcoming nature shown to new members of the USU.
Our thoughts have been with Sinead’s loved ones, including her USU family, during this difficult time.
For those wanting to know more about Sinead’s time as a USU delegate, some of her achievements are included below:
Sinead Francis Coan has been a long-time member of the USU and became a delegate in 2017 whilst employed at Wine Selectors in Newcastle.
Sinead’s time as a delegate was very difficult. Wine Selectors was not open to having a union in their workplace and Sinead faced quite adversarial tactics including harassment and bullying from her employer while trying to recruit and organise her worksite.
However, Sinead continued to find ways to communicate and grow the union at Wine Selectors and despite being constantly harassed herself, continued to advocate on behalf of members. For this, she was nominated and was announced as the USU Delegate of the year in 2021 and went on to become the finalist for the Australian Services Union Delegate of the Year.
Sinead’s journey as a delegate extended to her becoming an active member on the NSW C&A Branch Committee of Management where she was elected as Secretary of the Branch.
Sinead also joined and became a very active and popular member of the USU Women’s Committee.
Sinead also joined and became a very active and popular member of the USU Women’s Committee. Sinead along with the Women’s Committee Delegates assisted in organising and running the annual USU Women’s Conferences. The conference has become a popular and much-loved event for all our female delegates at the USU. Those who attended the conference were always greeted with Sinead’s smiling face and were made to instantly feel part of the sisterhood. It would be fair to say that Sinead was the heart of the committee and always drew attention to the causes the committee should focus their attention on.
Sinead with ACTU Secretary Sally McManus: Sinead was able to assist the ACTU and speak to important Senators and Ministers about the first tranche of Industrial Relations Reforms
Sinead represented our Federal Union the Australian Services Union in 2022 when she was part of 125 delegates who represented the ACTU in attending the Federal Governments Job Summit in Parliament House Canberra. Sinead was able to assist the ACTU and speak to important Senators and Ministers about the first tranche of Industrial Relations Reforms in particular the importance of industry wide bargaining, the right to disconnect, the importance of flexibility in the workplace in particular for employees who work from home and protections for workplace delegates to be able to communicate with members and potential members in the workplace.
Sinead was a dedicated delegate who went about going above and beyond to assist her members. All of the USU members at Wine Selectors held her in high regard as did her Organiser Melissa Pond who mentored Sinead throughout her years as a delegate.
Sinead applied for and was successful in an Organiser Position with the National Tertiary Education Union in 2024. As a Newcastle University Alumni, she was the perfect choice to represent staff at the University, and she relished her role and quickly became a much-loved part of their union. Despite becoming an organizer herself, Sinead continued to be a very active member of the USU and remained on the NSW Branch Committee of Management and the USU Women’s Committee.
Sinead was a shining light in our union, brightly touching everyone she met. She was loved by all the USU Branches and Staff, and she will always be remembered for her passion, vibrancy, fierce activism for her members and her warmth towards all.
Sharon Sewell
President
United Services Union
