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Issue No. 166 | 14 February 2003 |
A Call To Arms
Interview: Agenda 2003 Peace: The Colour Purple Industrial: Long, Hot Summer Solidarity: Workers Against War Security: Howard And The Hoodlums International: Industrial Warfare History: Unions and the Vietnam War Review: Eight Miles to Mowtown Poetry: Return To Sender Satire: CIA Recruits New Intake of Future Enemies
The Cuffe Link � Taxpayers Cough Up Carr: Secret Lib Plan to Slash Public Sector Thanks a Million: Cole�s Lawyers Clean-up Gnomes Fess Up � Unionism Best For All Ribs and Rumps Something for Government to Chew On Workers Online Scoops Global Prize Let�s Get Real! 2nd Australasian Organising Conference Guard Knocked Out in Villawood Escape
The Soapbox Postcard The Locker Room Politics
War Talk A Tale of Two Malls Talk Back Tom On The Beach
Labor Council of NSW |
News Owens Survives 30-Year Ban
Today Owens runs an occupational health and safety business, and contracts to WorkCover as an assessor. Some Sydney building companies won't have a bar of him. "There are a few with long memories," he admits, "but there is always a bit of work around." Owens was a rigger and dogman before serving under Jack Mundey as a BLF organiser at the height of the famous green bans campaign He also became prominent in movements for Aboriginal and Womens rights, as well as the mobilisation against the Vietnam War. Owens became the BLF's NSW branch secretary from 1973 until Norm Gallagher's 1975 takeover resulted in the expulsion of himself and dozens of others. In common with many others from the Mundey era, he was blacklisted from the industry. After 10 years on the outer, Owens eventually found his way back into construction through the FEDFA and served as site delegate on the Darling Harbour and World Square projects. Owens and another former BLF activist, Jimmy Avinou, were amongst 12 union stalwarts recognised with Labor Council scrolls of honour at this week's AGM. Owens collected that awarded posthumously to former BLF president, Bob Pringle, who was killed in a 1996 boating accident. Other workers awarded scrolls for their service to the movement were: Tom Morrison (CFMEU), Alex Malnikoff (CFMEU), Ludwig Strutzenburger (CFMEU), Frank Altoft (TWU), Jack Lawrence (TWU), Michael Johnston (AWU), Leslie Matthews (AWU), Judith Bennett (ASU) and Barry French (TWU).
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