Mary Kelly offers an opinion on the suggestion that unions exist to undermine the authority and agency of bureaucracy, particularly regarding the Queensland Teachers Union and the authority of the Education Department.
Mary Kelly comments on the industrial dispute in 1987, when the Bjelke-Petersen government tried to take away leave-loading for public servants, including teachers, and the action that the attempt spurred.
Mary Kelly outlines her leadership of the Queensland Teachers Union through the time of the Goss government, and the successes that the Union had for teachers, up until the conclusion of her Presidential term in 1994.
Mary Kelly relates her motivations for moving into leadership positions in the Queensland Teachers Union. She focuses on women's issues in schools, covering female students and teachers, and the need for reform within the Union itself in order to address these issues.
Bob Anderson discusses the impact of Indigenous perspectives, values and descent. He discusses social causes involving Indigenous people, and his union activity and working as a union official.
Janice Mayes recounts some of the industrial disputes she faced when working as President and Secretary of the FCU and Queensland Services Union (QSU).
Jack Hutton describes the campaign for the 38 hour week and the 9 day fortnight. He talks about his dealings with Wayne Goss (Queensland Premier 1989-96) and the negotiations that were undertaken to achieve the new working hours.
