TRIBUTES have poured in to “titan of the labour movement” Mary Turner, who has died after 20 years at the helm of her union.

The GMB president served alongside the past four general secretaries, and oversaw six Labour leaderships as a member of the party’s ruling national executive (NEC).

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Mary was such a great campaigner for people.

“We first worked together in the early 1980s, defending school meals in Barnet. I last saw her at a Labour national executive meeting.

“She paved the way for so many women in the union movement and encouraged others to speak out. I send my condolences to Mary’s family and her extended family at the GMB union.”

Writing in today’s Morning Star, GMB general secretary Tim Roache describes Ms Turner as the “beating heart” of the union.

“The word giant is sometimes overused but in the case of Mary she really was a true giant of our movement,” he said.

“She has left this world having made a real difference to people’s lives. That’s something people in our movement aspire to.”

Ms Turner was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, in 1938. After coming to England at the age of 12, she settled in Kilburn, north London — and would remain nearby for the rest of her life.

She worked at an Oxford Street tailors where she joined the Tailor and Garment Workers’ Union, and after moving to the print trade was elected as mother of the chapel.

She gave up full-time work after having children with husband Denny, but returned part-time as a dinner lady in her home borough of Brent.

She quickly established herself as an organiser and a campaigner for universal free school meals.

During the nurses’ pay dispute in 1981, she organised the Brent school meals service to shut down in solidarity for the first time.

Ms Turner was instrumental in organising the 1983 People’s March for Jobs, and was a renowned anti-fascist campaigner.

She was known for her acerbic wit in chairing GMB Congress, which she continued to do each year even when struck with bouts of ill health.

As a member of Labour’s NEC, Ms Turner was feared by Labour leaders who knew her as a determined fighter for her members.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady described Ms Turner as “a true champion of free school meals and a fighter to the end.”

Former GMB leader Sir Paul Kenny said: “Mary never lost her roots. She was hard working and treated everyone the same — from prime ministers to cleaners.”

The union’s vice-president Malcolm Sage said: “It’s been an honour to be her vice-president and to work alongside her. Mary valued her family and friends highly and I’m proud to have been one of them.”

Tributes to Mary Turner

Hazel Nolan, GMB Scotland officer

- She was a force of nature. I’ll never forget how she used to take me aside after executive meetings and give me advice, and mentor me. It was always so inspiring to hear her stories.

Aimee Wittams-Smith, GMB Young Members Network activist

- Mary’s inclusive attitude towards inviting young members to speak on motions and her staunch support for equality strands meant that she would stand out to literally everyone as an invaluable institution within GMB.

Pete Willsman, Labour NEC and former GMB branch secretary

- I have had links with our dear comrade Mary for some 35 years or more, both through the GMB and the Labour Party. Mary was very special.

Andy Newman, GMB executive

- Anyone who has ever been a delegate to a GMB Congress will remember her warmth and generosity in empowering the lay members of the union to shape the union’s destiny through its sovereign decision-making body.

Cath Speight, GMB political officer

- There have been thousands of children who didn’t go hungry because of Mary’s tenacious campaign for free school meals and didn’t suffer the stigma of lining up separately.