Bob Henricks discusses the TLC and union involvement in protest action. He states that Ken McGrath from the TWU was the first Secretary of the Unions Conservation Committee and Henricks the second. He discusses his involvement in stopping drilling oil on the Barrier Reef, Fraser Island campaigns and his membership of the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation (FIDO) including injuries sustained in a clash with AWU mine workers, his arrest during the SEQEB strike and police harassment.
Bob Henricks discusses the ALP factions before the (1957) split including the AWU and Trades Hall Group (THG) and reflects on the general involvement needed to win government, including the rural workers and general unions, and the role of leaders.
Bob Gleeson considers that while the Trades Hall Group and AWU stuck together with the support of the majority of members through this period, other unions were coerced into joining the reform push. He states that some of these reform people later became prominent in politics. He reflects on the results of the reform era and that all sides accepted it in the end. He considers that credit should be given to leaders of the Old Guard for not splitting the party.
Bob Gleeson recalls the ALP events surrounding the 1964 Mount Isa strike, and a Newsletter issued by Egerton calling the AWU scabs. He discusses the ALP Disputes Tribunal when Egerton was seeking renewal of his ALP membership ticket after he had accepted a knighthood and his branch had refused him a new ticket. He relates that the Tribunal took no action and Egerton did not receive a new ticket.
Bob Gleeson discusses events at the 1963 ALP Convention, but underlines the enduring two-way respect between the Trades Hall Group and the AWU even though it was stretched at times of conflict. He recalls how his bush branch of the ALP heard about the 1977 Reform Group formation and outlines his views on the reformers. He states the view that the National Executive were behind the push for reform.
Bob Gleeson describes Jack Egerton as a good man and great leader, as tough as nails, who didn’t mince words and had a straightforward way of working. He explains that, when intervention occurred, the AWU, under Edgar William's control, re-affiliated with the ALP to support the Trades Hall Group (THG) bringing back into ALP coffers the support of 1/4 million AWU affiliated members.
