
Issue No 30		10 September 1999

News

Asbestos Sufferer Bequests $30,000 To Union

By Paul True - CFMEU

Even as he approached death, former carpenter Wal Liddle, was determined to look out for the interests of his fellow building workers.

A rank and file union activist for many years, Wal contracted the incurable disease mesothelioma, from having worked with asbestos in the 1950s and 60s. He sued a number of companies, winning a large compensation payment.

In gratitude for the help of the CFMEU, Wal made a donation of $30,000. A Depression-era kid, Wal knew very clearly the need for unions, and was greatly concerned at the attempts of the Howard/Reith regime to crush the union movement.

His bequest is being used to produce a series of historical booklets for young building workers. On top of funding the project, and despite his terrible illness, Wal participated in the research for as long as he was able.

Sadly Wal did not live to see the fruits of what he'd set in train. But his inspiring legacy will continue to help in the education of building workers for generations to come.

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Issue 30 contents

Interview: The Seeds of Genocide
Brian Daluz, from the Council for the National Resistance of Timor, believes Timorese are being herded into concentration camps.

Unions: The Mice That Roared
Hotel housekeeper Belinda Nicholls stole the show at the Second Wave rally with her story of the triumph of a group of newly-unionised workers.

International: The Hand of God?
John Passant asks whether Turkey�s Earthquake was a natural disaster or a criminal act.

Republic: The Republic Debate: Should It Go Into Extra Time?
In the battle of political - sporting analogies, a skeptic states his case.

Legal: Call Waiting
The Federal Court has put a dampener on outsourcing within a corporate structure.

Satire: Ticketing Chaos!
Sydney Olympics to be held in Beijing

Review: The Thirteenth Floor
A new film challenges the boundaries between reality and �virtual� reality and explores some of the moral issues that these technologies will introduce.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, a resource for union officials and students.

» Ramos Horta Calls for Workers� Support

» Sydney Unionists Forced to Leave Dili

» TWU Questions Timor Action

» SOCOG Called to Cancel Indonesian Contracts

» Union Busters To Go Cyber

» Not-So Aussie Post for Sydney 2000

» Horror Tales - the Nights of the Living Dead

» Asbestos Sufferer Bequests $30,000 To Union

» Woodlawn Workers Edge Towards Justice

» Telstra Shareholders Asked to Block Union-Busters

» Reith Letter to be Revealed in Conspiracy Case

» Shock: Tele Thumbs Up For New Years Eve Holiday

» Tales From the Picket Line

» Guest Report

» Sport

» Trades Hall

» Piers Watch

» League's Working Class Takeover

» Proverb for the Cyber Age

» Postcard from the Emu

» Mind Your Language

» The Other Young Speaker

» Timor: A Call to Action

» A Letter to Downer

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