Born in Limerick, Nevin was educated at a Christian Brothers school before joining the civil service.
In 1959, this merged with the rival Congress of Irish Unions to form the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), and Nevin continued as its research officer until 1966, when he was promoted to become Assistant General Secretary.
In this role, he became known for campaigning against apartheid in South Africa and calling for a boycott of that country's products.
[2] He was also chairman of the Labour Party's Dublin Regional Council, although he chose not to stand for election himself.
[1] In 1982, Nevin became General Secretary of the ICTU, and he developed the social partnership model continued by his immediate successors.