Issue No 114 | 05 October 2001 | |
NewsVale: Frank Belan
National Union of Workers state secretary, Frank Belan, O.A.M. passed away this week at Concord Repatriation General Hospital following a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Frank immigrated to Australia from the former Yugoslavia in 1959 as a political refugee and after working in the Whyalla shipyards for some years he moved to Sydney with his wife and young family in the early 1960's. From his earliest days in Australia Frank was an active trade unionist and after leading a successful campaign for the 35-hour week in the container industry in 1970, became an official and organiser with the Storeman & Packers Union in 1972. He became State Secretary of the union in 1983 and then the National Union of Workers NSW Branch following a successful amalgamation process. He held this position until his death yesterday, 3rd October 2001. Amongst Frank's numerous achievements were: the achievement of equal pay for women and juniors in the warehousing industry in the early 1970's; the achievement of the 36-hour week in the retail industry in 1982; and the achievement of the 38-hour week in general industry. Frank was awarded the Order of Australia in 1997 in recognition of his service to the National Union of Workers and the union movement generally. He was presented with the Labor Council Scroll of Honour in 1995 and was a Life Member of the South Coast Labor Council. Acting State Secretary, Andrew Joseph, said today: "Frank's death is a tragic loss not only to his family and friends, but to our union and the union movement as a whole. He dedicated his life to the achievement of better wages and conditions for working men and women in this country. Despite offers of other jobs or careers elsewhere, Frank was genuinely proud and honoured to represent the membership of our union. I know that all the officials, staff and members of our union will remember him not only as a good friend, but as someone who always stood by his principles." Frank Belan O.A.M. is survived by his wife Valerie, seven children and fourteen grandchildren. Funeral Details Venue: St Mary's Cathedral, College Street, Sydney Date: Monday 8th October, 2001 Time: 10.00 am Parking: Those who wish to drive to the city are advised to park in the Sydney Domain Nearest Railway Station: St James
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Interview: Thinking Smart With education a key priority, Labor's spokesman Michael Lee will emerge as a key player in the upcoming campaign. Unions: In the Spotlight The Public Education Convention placed the spotlight firmly on the performance and prospects of our federal politicians. Campaign Diary: Election Form Guide So they're off and racing in the 2001 stakes. Right now it's looking more like a handicap, but we're going along for the ride. Education: Applying the Blowtorch Veronica Apap reports on how teachers are planning to elevate education in the upcoming federal campaign. History: Australia�s Orwell Stephen Holt argues that the life of Jim Maloney contained echoes of the literary legend's own political journey. International: Brazil Loses Child Labour Warrior The global trade union movement against child labour has lost one of their brightest forces to a brutal assassination. E-Change: 3.4 The New Governance In the last instalment in their series on technological change, Peter Lewis and Michael Gadiel look at the challenges politics has yet to meet. Satire: Qantas Denies New $7770 Domestic Fares 'Exploitative' Australia's largest domestic carrier Qantas has rejected suggestions that it's new $7770 fares between Sydney and Melbourne are taking advantage of the airline's recently inherited monopoly. Review: Dark Music for Dark Souls The term Industrial Music represents a wide variety and coalition of musical forms, Adam Lincoln explains.
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