Address at the Funeral of Mary Sexton, Executive Committee member
20 Feb 2009
by Larry Broderick, General Secretary
Firstly, I would like to extend sincere condolences on behalf of the IBOA Executive Committee, her colleagues in Ulster Bank and indeed generally throughout the banking industry as well as staff in RBS to Mary's family - and in particular Philip, Paddy, Frank, Eamonn, Kevin, her sisters-in -law and her many nieces and nephews. We share your profound sense of grief at Mary's all too premature departure from this life.
As well as being a wonderful sister and aunt to her family, Mary had another great passion in life - her remarkable commitment to her fellow bank staff through IBOA - The Finance Union. So it is a matter of the utmost sadness to me and her Executive Committee colleagues and all in the Union who knew and loved Mary that she will no longer be with us to help in the fight for justice and fairness in our industry - especially at this critical time. We know how much she would have relished the battle!
Mary joined Ulster Bank and IBOA in 1967 and after a number of years in the bank became a member of the IBOA Ladies Committee (as it was known at the time). Mary's talent and dedication was duly recognised by her colleagues in Dublin when she was elected to the Union's Executive Committee in 1997. They knew - and we quickly came to realise - that here was a woman who was determined to make a difference for her colleagues - not just in Ulster Bank but in banking generally in Ireland as well as the broader Royal Bank of Scotland staff whom she also served as co-chair of the Staff Council.
Mary was a traditional banker - who was motivated by pride in her work, commitment to her customers and loyalty to her Union. She was the embodiment of integrity and trust throughout her career in IBOA and the Bank. She inspired those around her with her tenacity and absolute sense of fair play. She was a champion for staff even though it was often at significant personal cost. She said it as she saw it and ensured that all staff would be treated with dignity and respect.
As well as being a loving aunt to her nephews and nieces, Mary was also an unofficial aunt to many children of IBOA members. She was a regular and enthusiastic volunteer at the Union's annual family day at Dublin Zoo and at the Children's Christmas Party in the Bankers' Club.
She was a founding member of the NatWest European Staff Council and was directly involved in the setting up of the Royal Bank of Scotland Staff Council. Indeed Mary reminded me on more than one occasion that as General Secretary of IBOA, I only represented 22,000 staff whereas she, in her role as chair of the European Works Council, represented 170,000 staff. Mary was a formidable woman who loved robust debate. Her brother, Eamonn, remarked that if ever he had to make a critical comment to Mary he would always try to do it just as he was leaving her house in Terenure in order to avoid the backlash. Although she would argue her corner with great vigour and conviction, once the argument was over, she never held grudges. And in the realm of industrial relations, let me tell you, ladies and gentlemen, that is unique.
Around this time last year Mary let it be known that she would be interested in standing for election to the position of President of IBOA for 2009-11. Such was the esteem in which Mary was held that I can say without fear of contradiction that Mary would have secured the unanimous endorsement of the Executive Committee to become only the second woman to hold the office in the Union's 92-year history. Unfortunately when the Committee came to consider the matter on 12th February Mary was not in a position to stand for office. However, the Executive Committee decided unanimously that as a mark of the respect and admiration in which she was held throughout IBOA and in recognition of her unstinting work on behalf of her fellow members, Mary would be accorded the title of Honorary President of IBOA the Finance Union - with a link bearing her name to be inserted into the Presidential chain of office.
In conclusion, Mary's untimely passing is an unfathomable loss to her family: it is also a great loss to her wider family in IBOA. She will always be remembered for her remarkable integrity, her selfless courage and for her untiring willingness to champion the cause of justice for workers in the financial services sector and in society as a whole. She will also be remembered with great affection as a most loyal friend. May she rest in peace.
