Walter Threlfall reflects on the biggest disappointments he met with in his career as a trade union official, particularly the disillusionment he felt with the Queensland Government over the SEQEB incident. He comments on his most satisfying memories, which include day-to-day, minor achievements that made his job enjoyable.
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.
Jack Hutton discusses some of the most stressful incidents he dealt with during his time in trade unions. These included strikes, funeral attendance, and dealing with security.
Jack Hutton discusses his work for apprentice rights during the Joh Bjelke-Petersen era, his election to the Apprenticeship Board, and his application for the role of Welfare Officer.
Darryl Noack comments on the high union involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, heralding Stephen Christian as the first Indigenous organiser. He remarks upon the AWU as having a long, proud record of fighting for Indigenous rights.
Darryl Noack describes the differences between being an organiser and a District Secretary, commenting on the responsibilities of the two roles and the place of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission in resolving disputes.
Darryl Noack speaks about how he became a full time AWU organiser in 1993, beginning with his move to Cairns for work in 1984 and appointment as an AWU representative in 1988.
Darryl Noack discusses how he juggled his career and union roles as an FIA shop steward from 1973 to 1978 and delegate in 1979. He describes how he first joined the Australian Workers Union (AWU) whilst working as a rigger in a coal washing plant in Collinsville, Queensland, in 1979, and how he has remained with the union.
Darryl Noack comments on the difficulties involved in his early role as a shop steward, ranging from his young age, inexperience, and the limited presence of FIA organisers from Brisbane and the absence of paid FIA organisers in North Queensland. He discusses the opening of a union sub branch in Townsville, led by secretary Harry Peebles, and how this impacted on the quality of unionism in his workplace, as well as the assistance of Fred Thompson.
