Darryl Noack talks of the significance of the Weipa experience, describing it as the first major setback against trade unions. He contrasts it with the later Workplace Relations Act and Work Choices policies.
Darryl Noack comments on situations similar to the Weipa experience across Queensland. He comments on the globalised corporate philosophy that led to the experience, as well as the subsequent histories written on the event.
Darryl Noack discusses the final arbitration in the Weipa dispute, describing how the unions and the Federal Commission contributed to the outcome. He comments on what he perceived to be unfair contracts.
Darryl Noack comments on the support that the unions had federally due to the Labor Government. He recounts the tension in Weipa as well as a protest stunt supported by the Maritime Union of Australia.
Darryl Noack discusses the processes by which Rio Tinto attempted to quell any industrial conflict in Weipa, including offering financial enticements to workers. He comments on the early strong union ethos of the town, where the presence of the AWU, the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) was initially strong, as well as the detrimental effects of Rio Tinto's bargaining efforts.
Darryl Noack comments on the CRA dispute involving Rio Tinto in 1993, one of his first industrial disputes upon his appointment as District Secretary. He discusses the discrepancies between collective bargaining and individual contracts and Rio Tinto's corporate policy against third parties. He recounts his personal involvement in the Weipa region.
