Bill Sirs

Who is Bill Sirs?

William "Bill" Sirs is a British trade unionist, who served as general secretary of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation from 1975 to 1985.

Sirs is best remembered for his involvement in the steelworkers' strike of 1980. During the action Sirs came into conflict with Ian MacGregor, the man appointed by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to slim down British Steel. Sirs was quoted as saying, "We are being looked upon as the worst producing steel nation in Europe". Bill Sirs was born and raised in Hartlepool. He spent his childhood there and has many memories. Sirs grew up with quite a few siblings, around seven. He remained in Hartlepool for most of his life until he moved south with his two children and his wife Joan.

Sirs subsequently incurred the wrath of other trade unionists by his intervention in the miners' strike of 1984.