Bob Anderson speaks of criticism of unions during the Mount Isa mining disputes, in particular the Australian Workers Union, claiming that for a time it was considered a 'company union', in that it was viewed as working more for the interests of the company than the workers.
Bob Anderson gives examples of how being forthright or showing 'audacity' became a key feature of his union activities. This was of particular use when he went over to the Bougainville Copper Mine, northern Papua New Guinea as part of a group of union officials to investigate pay and working conditions, at the company's request.
Walter Threlfall discusses the interactions of the ETU, the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union, the AWU and the ACTU in the Mount Isa Mines lockout in the early 1990s.
Walter Threlfall details other industrial disputes in which the ETU was involved, particularly the Mount Isa Mine lockout and the Weipa dispute in the early 1990s.
Walter Threlfall recounts the positions in the ETU that he has held, and describes the duties ascribed to each role. He discusses his efforts to remain up to date with union policies and implement them in his workplace.
