QLD:Trade union heavyweight steps down

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-2010
QLD:Trade union heavyweight steps down

By Petrina Berry

BRISBANE, Dec 10 AAP - Hughie Williams' life-long dedication to workers' rights was
seeded at the age of 13 when he worked in some of the country's most "filthy and dangerous"

coal mines.

The 77-year-old trade union figure has stepped down from the Transport Workers Union
(TWU) on Friday after nearly 40 years as an official, including 18 years as the union's
Queensland secretary.

Mr Williams was voted out of the position last month but the former Olympic wrestler
is showing no signs of slowing down.

He says he is establishing a transport workers consultancy to continue contributing
to workers' rights.

"When I left school at the age of 13, I was living in the Hunter Valley and I worked
in some terrible and dangerous,filthy coal mines. Even some of the rats used to walk out
of there," Mr Williams told AAP.

"A few kids got killed and a fella said to me `if one of you kids get killed it won't
matter that much but if a horse - because we had horses down in the mine - gets killed
it's a major tragedy'.

"I then realised how important unions were and I joined the coalminers federation at the time."

Mr Williams stood up against the staunchly right-wing Bjelke-Petersen government and
was involved in reforming the Queensland ALP in the 1980s.

His big achievements include winning pay increases for workers and holding company
bosses accountable for accidents involving truck drivers pressured to drive long hours.

"About five years a go a driver who was instructed to drive despite being very tired
killed two people. He went to jail," Mr Williams said.

"I campaigned for a chain of responsibility that went back to the bosses of the company.

There was a lot of opposition from transport companies.

"It was one of the best efforts of the union because it's going to help a lot of people
in the future.

"Since 1992, under the new wages we have been able to achieve pay increases for all
members every year."

He said he believes a well-funded smear campaign was behind his ousting last month
but he's prepared to move on.

"It's an interesting job but it's a very time-consuming and demanding job and sometimes
you don't get credit for the work you do.

"That's what they'll learn (the new administration). I wish them well and I wish the
union well too."

Mr Williams said he was disappointed with the privatisation of Queensland's coal rail
business and he remains opposed to the sale of assets.

"They should never have sold (QR coal rail business). I think the government has acted
irresponsibly there."

He has received good wishes from Premier Anna Bligh and other ministers.

On Friday, federal Treasurer Wayne Swan told reporters Mr Williams had made a "massive
contribution not only to the union movement but also to the development of this great
state.

"I certainly wish him well."

Mr Williams was beaten by another long-time unionist, Peter Biagini.

AAP peb/crh/jhp

KEYWORD: WILLIAMS

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