Curran left school and worked as a welder, installing boilers at power stations.
Concerned about asbestos at Thurrock Power Station, he became a shop steward in his trade union, organising a walkout which won better working conditions there.
[1] Curran found work running a training scheme for welders, and continued his activity in what became the GMB.
[2] He defeated Paul Kenny in the election, but was accused of breaking the union's campaign rules.
[3] He denied the allegations, but was suspended from office in 2005 as the investigation continued, and opted to resign from the post.