
Issue No 56		02 June 2000

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News

Labour Movement Mourns Loss of Neil Marshall (11th June 1943 - 31st May 2000)

The members, officials and staff of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union are mourning the loss of a great friend and comrade, Neil Marshall, who died in an air crash in the Spencer Gulf this week.

A modest man of unshakeable principle, Neil was a tireless fighter for workers' rights for over thirty years.

Neil joined the then Amalgamated Engineering Union in December 1967 when he worked as a fitter at the Government Aircraft Factory (GAF) at Port Melbourne in Victoria.

His understanding of the need for strong organisation among workers on the shop-floor was quickly recognised and he soon earned the trust of his workmates. Neil was elected as a shop steward and later became Secretary of the GAF Shop Committee.

By the mid-1970s, Neil was elected to the Victorian State Council of the Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union. He was also a delegate to the AMWU National Conference representing the Victorian Branch. He was active in the planning and execution of the AMWU's shorter hours campaign of the time.

Neil remained at the GAF until his election as a Victorian Branch Organiser in February 1982.

As a State Organiser, Neil represented thousands of workers across Victoria in the metals and manufacturing industries. Neil played an important role in a number of union campaigns including the successful implementation of the 38 hour week and the fight for employer funded superannuation.

Neil's contribution and obvious capacity to carry out a wider role in the union were recognised in his election as a National Organiser in 1990.

As National Organiser, Neil took on responsibility for national union campaigns and organising in industries such as steel, food processing, construction and railways. In doing so Neil came up against hard nosed companies like BHP, Nestl�, Simplot and Australian National. Neil always understood that in dealing with these companies at multi-union sites, union solidarity was a neccessary ingredient for success. Neil forged strong working relationships with officials and members of all the unions representing workers in Neil's area of responsibility.

Neil was a worker representative on the board of the BHP Superannuation Fund. He held the firm belief that workers have a right to retire with dignity. It is a belief that he put into practice.

On the international front, Neil was an advocate of the need for international trade union action when dealing with large multinational corporations. Neil was a key Australian representative at the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF). The IUF provides the basis for international worker organisation in industries dominated by multinational corporations with a poor track record on workers rights around the world. Neil played an important role in assisting the development of worker organisation outside Australia, particularly among employees of the Swiss multinational Nestl�.

Neil recently represented Australian steelworkers at a series of rallies and a conference in Washington aimed at raising worker concerns over the recent decision of the Clinton administration to allow the admission of China to the World Trade Organisation.

Neil was a great friend to all of us at the AMWU, to rank and file members of the AMWU everywhere and to many workers around the world. He will be sadly missed by all of us.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Neil's family and friends. Our thoughts are with them. We share their loss and their grief.

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Issue 56 contents

Interview: When the War is Over
Teachers Federation chief Sue Simpson has just come through the industrial dispute of a lifetime. But where to now for her members?

Politics: The Beazley Manifesto
Read the full transcript of Kim Beazley's Fraser Lecture develiered this week, where he unveiled Labor's new industrial relations platform.

Unions: Dudded on the Dock of the Bay
Until a few weeks ago Allan and Beverley Crelley had never ever heard of SERCO the big London multinational that specialises in winning contracts from governments committed to outsourcing their workers.

History: The Long March for Justice
Against the backdrop of the Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that took place last Sunday, it is worthwhile recognising that trade unionists were actively promoting the issue decades ago.

International: UK Unions Turn the Corner
Union membership is on the rise for the first time in 20 years, indicating an early response to union recognition legislation set to come into effect next month.

Work/Time/Life: Flexible Clerks Save Hours
The Australian Services Union has successfully blocked an attempt by wholesaler Davids Limited to force clerical staff at the company's Blacktown office from flexible working hours to a standard 38 hour week.

Review: Who Really Won the War?
It might be being pulped for a reference to serial-suitor Peter Costello, but 'Waterfront' has sparked some lively debate about our recent industrial history.

Satire: Gosper's New Torch Role
A week after he was excluded from the Olympic torch relay as a result of public criticism, Kevan Gosper has been reinstated by SOCOG President Michael Knight for a special project.

» Long Service Leave Push for Short-Term Workers

» Carr Asked to Act on Fiji Crisis

» Major Blow to Government Outsourcing

» Beazley Blocks Contracts as Reith Hits New Wall

» Carr Makes Formal Offer on Olympics Pay

» Surfing Carnivals Highlights Beach Threat

» Mail Stopped Over Junk Deal

» CBA Staff To Strike Over Queues and Abuse

» Women's Bureau to Stay in DIR

» Joy's Winter of Discontent

» Advocate Pushes Pattern Bargaining

» Nike Versus The Workers

» New Safety Laws A First in Australia

» Workers March for Reconciliation

» Labour Movement Mourns Loss of Neil Marshall (11th June 1943 - 31st May 2000)