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.
Walter Threlfall describes the role of unions in his apprenticeship, and speaks about his membership of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU). He reflects on the Labor-sympathetic and heavily unionised nature of Newcastle in the 1970s.
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.
