Issue No 112 | 21 September 2001 | |
NewsUnion Official Tragic Victim of Ansett Collapse
The tragic death this week of NSW union official Ron Pearsall could be directly linked to the collapse of Ansett airlines. Pearsall, the popular assistant national secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union died in a car accident while driving to a union meeting in South Australia. Initially been booked to fly to the meeting with Ansett, he opted to make the journey by car after the airline's collapse. Some time in the early hours of Tuesday near Hay, his vehicle collided with a truck. A long-time delegate to the Labor Council, colleagues passed a condolence motion and observed a minute's silence in Pearsall's memory last night. A Committed Unionist RTBU bus division president Pat Ryan and Labor Council secretary John Robertson both paid tribute to Pearsall long union career. Ryan described him as a tireless worker for members and their families, whgo spent more time with his union colleagues than his own family. "The Labour movement has lost a decent and honourable man who wore his trade union badge with pride," Ryan said. Robertson said that Pearsall had also been a keen photographer, publishing three books, but had continued to work in the union movement, as this was his first love. Twenty Five Years of Service Pearsall worked with the Department of Government Transport from1966 as an Omnibus Conductor. In 1970 he was appointed to Bus Operator. He became a Union Executive Officer in 1976, he succeeded the Executive Officer at the Pagewood Bus Depot now know as Port Botany. He became a full-time Union Official in 1989. Pearsall held positions in the RTBU's Federal offices of the Australian Tramways and Motor Omnibus Employees Association. At the time of amalgamation in 1993, he became the Assistant National Secretary of the RTBU. He held this position up until his passing on Tuesday 18th September 2001. He is survived by his partner Karen Woollaston and his two Sons - Ashley & Trent and his grandchildren.
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Interview: Exit Interview Michael Costa looks back at his 14 years with the Labor Council to chart the highs, the lows and the bits in between. Parliament: Opening Salvo In his Maiden Speech, delivered this week, Costa gave vent to his views on immigration, Marx, globalisation and mental health. Scandals: My Evil Twin Co-conspirator and 'intellectual soulmate' Mark Duffy recounts the legendary 'Leaked Paper' Affair and how its predictions soon came to pass. Politics: An Agent for Change Former secretary Michael Easson argues that Costa was instrumental in redefining the factional balance in NSW in the wake of the Cold War. Review: The Thoughts of Chairman MC Neale Towart trawls the collected works of Michael Costa and looks at his love-hate affair with Marx. Factions: Kyoto Sunset Naomi Steer - the first left-winger to work at Labor Council in decades - recalls how she discovered the real Michael in a Karaoke lounge. History: A Proud Tradition Former Premier Barrie Unsworth argues Costa enters Parliament as the best qualified Labor Council leader ever to make the transition. Psychology: The Man Behind the Mask Costa's predecessor Peter Sams argues that behind the bluff facade lay a loyal and caring friend. Seduction: Michael and Me Chris Christodoulou recounts how Costa convinced him to cross the factional divide and take up residence in Sussex Street. Satire: Ode to Leon Long-time sparring partner, Peter Botsman submits this lyrical tribute to Costa's career.
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