AMWU Queensland/Northern Territory Branch President, Kel Creedy has packed away his hammer and tongs and walked away from his forge for the last time.
Kel not only forged his fair share of tools and rail components in his 47 years as a Blacksmith at Queensland Rail (QR) but has also played a mammoth role within the AMWU.
As Kel enters retirement, he has reflected on more than four decades of AMWU activism.
“I remember always feeling that Union membership meant protection when I was a young worker, and this feeling has never changed.
I started my apprenticeship in 1956 as Blacksmith in the private sector, and transferred to QR in ’58. I joined the Blacksmiths’ Society (one of the forerunner unions that make up the AMWU) in 1961 as soon as I became a fully fledged Blacksmith. Back then it was not common to be a union member until you became a tradesperson.
In the ‘70s there were a lot of changes about at work and in society and I wanted to play a positive role in this change. I decided to get more involved on-the-job as a Union activist. By the time the ’80s came around I was the elected Convenor of the QR Shop Stewards for the Ipswich workshops. I had 24 Shop Stewards and 500 members to look after.
Like many workers during the ‘80s, QR workers faced many a challenge whether it was fighting for decent working conditions or recognition for our skills through proper classification and pay.
Throughout my years as an AMWU delegate and activist on-the-job I was involved in dozens and dozens of disputes, campaigns and challenges. Whatever we faced, we did it together as a collective of workers.
It would be wrong of me to say that we were always successful. We weren’t but I tell you what – we certainly gave it a shot and came out on top many a time.
The sweetest victory for me was the campaign for a 38 hour week. It was a brutal campaign – the then Premier, the infamous Joh Bjelke-Petersen suspended every blue collar worker without pay at the Ipswich workshop – this affected about 2000 workers. We were all facing sacking. We stuck to our guns, were supported by the community and eventually the suspensions were lifted (without fines) and secured reasonable working hours. We also achieved a 9-day fortnight for blue collar workers. This was unheard of and we led the way in more family-friendly hours. The 38-hour week campaign not only benefited workers at QR – this campaign formed the basis for the society-wide standard for a 38-hour working week.
As I leave the workforce, the icing on the cake has been the fall of the Howard government. Eleven years of conservative rule has hit working people hard. But we stood up for our rights and won! This highly strategic, disciplined and organised campaign is a tribute to the spirit of working families and our society in general. As the President of the Queensland and Northern Territory Branch I was immensely proud of the role our rank and file played in galvanising community support for our campaign.
I always felt secure at work because I was an AMWU member. After nearly five decades this never changed. Whether it was in terms of protecting my job, or ensuring my rights were upheld, my Union membership has always been my shield. Collective strength is the only way to go for workers, no matter where you are employed. The role unions play in the workforce today is even more important than when I joined in 1961 – everything is more complex and workers are subject to far greater attack. Union membership is the only way workers’ rights are protected.
On a final note, I want to personally thank the AMWU, its Officials, Officers, Staff and members for the many years of solidarity and friendship. My life has been all the richer for my involvement with the Union and will always cherish my Union membership. I want to also wish former National Secretary Doug Cameron all the best in the Senate”.
Kel was the AMWU Queensland and Northern Territory Branch Vice-President then President for nearly a decade. He was a delegate for 33 years, Convenor for 26 years and held various high-ranking positions with the Union’s governing body.