Rail Workers Take Out Union "Oscars"

The man who has been named as the country’s best union organiser has dedicated his accolade to workers at rail operator Pacific National.

Greg Harvey, from the Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union (RTBU), has been involved with over two thousand employees of Australia's largest rail freight operator in a battle of wills over whether the company will commit to a union agreement.

So far the unionised workers are winning hands down, recording an 85% no vote when the company put a non-union agreement to them last year.

Harvey's innovative use of the internet and strong communications with a union membership spread across 5 states has drawn praise from the ACTU, who have named him Union Organiser of 2005 at a function in Melbourne this week.

Harvey has played down his own involvement in the award, saying that it is a result of the hard work of a strong delegate structure and ordinary union members across the country.

"For eleven months these people have been battling to get a fair and decent union agreement", said Harvey. "They understand that it isn't over by a long shot".

"Throughout it all Pacific National employees across the country, the rank and file of our union, have shown great unity and a combined sense of purpose".

"We've been able to achieve that because we're committed to the rank and file, through their on the job delegates, having ownership of this campaign. You can only do that if you have strong and effective two way communication".

The National Secretary of the RTBU, Bob Hayden, echoed Harvey's response.

"This award shows the whole union movement recognises this as an important campaign", said Hayden. "It's a credit to all those workers that we, as a union, have stuck together and shown a unity that reflects on how well organised we are. Greg should be congratulated on that".

"This is the sort of unity that gets decent and equitable conditions for the people who make this economy run, the working people of Australia".

"John Howard's WorkChoices laws are all about dividing workers, pitting worker against worker, and setting them up to be picked off one by one".

"It's a pretty ugly way to run a society and the Pacific National workers are standing up for a better way, a better Australia".

For more information contact Greg Harvey on 0413 340 934