Creatures of the Industry: Recent Episodes
Ralph Edwards
A project by the Concrete Gang, recording the history of the building and construction industry in Melbourne since the 1960s, as remembered by those who built this city and helped establish the industrial landscape we work in today.
s beach, and riding his motorbike from Vic to northwest QLD, and WA, and back to South Gippsland. Terry worked for decades in all sorts of jobs across the country, and his thoughts about workplace custom and practice, scaffolding, and TAFE. Part Two of this interview will be published on Friday 9 May, or you can tune in to 3CR at 1pm on Thursday 1 May for an exclusive listen. Find more on our May Day 2025 coverage at 3cr.org.au/mayday2025
tour, and comparisons of construction vs. music industries. To round out the interview, season 7, and 2024, they circle back to their thoughts on Admin and the overreach of this Labor Government on builders and workers in construction. Listen to Part One of this Interview HERE.
S, big vs small jobs, common dodgy business practices, and the importance of Incolink, plus wising up on superannuation and long service leave benefits.Part Two of this Interview will be published on Friday 20th December.
) compared with the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) system. Later, they circle back to the role of the BIG in recent times, the importance of stewards and cross-union solidarity in post-amalgamation organising, and the future of trade unionism with the current ALP administration. Check out Part One of this conversation, where George describes the landscape of the bricklayers unions VOBS and the VSBTU and the entrenched corruption of subcontractors within them, and more.
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace fatalities, and some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 7, Episode 6: Part 2 of Ralph's extended interview with fellow Liverpool fan, and member and official of the CFMEU, Nigel Davies.This one begins in the mid-90s and post recession period, where he recalls the transition from offices to apartments and developments in the Docklands, with increasing demands for labour hire and demo jobs, where networking got him through the sometimes thankless work - both as as a labour-hire steward and later a side steward with ABD and various other companies. Nigel discusses the highs and lows of OH&S, organising, and more through his roles as a country organiser (northwestern Vic), then Assistant National Divisional Secretary, and finally his trips with international affiliate group Building and Wood Workers' International which brought him in contact with workers in Qatar ahead of the World Cup and unionists and workers from the Bangladesh Rana Plaza disaster, yet another true Creature of the Industry.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace fatalities, and some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 7, Episode 4: This episode features part 1 of Ralph's extended interview with fellow Liverpool fan, and member and official of the CFMEU, Nigel Davies. Hailing from Rhosgadfan, a small blue-slate mining village in northern Wales, he reflects on his working class family history, his self-employed brickie father, and differences in health and safety between jobs there and the bigger jobs he worked labouring all over the UK in the mid-80s. When Nigel came to Australia on a holiday in 1987 (later deciding to stay and work), he worked a number of harsh and tedious jobs to survive. This episode covers the recession in the early '90s, playing soccer (football) in Australia, memorable characters, good teachers, shenanigans, wages and conditions, and heaps more.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Series 7, Episode 4: Ralph interviews Ron Owens, former Builders Labourers Federation Secretary in South Australia, and the last Federal Secretary of the BLF, now 90 years old and living in Port Pirie in South Australia. In his time, Ron faced the task of negotiating the amalgamation of the BLF into the CFMEU after the unprecedented attacks on that Union in 1980s, and the sorry state of industry unionism that followed. He helped end the industry civil war that only assisted employers and their political mates. This episode, Part 2 of the extended interview, explores all of these events, beginning in the early '80s. Ron discusses his perspective on these issues, his time as last Federal Secretary of the BLF, juggling state and federal roles in the union, and more. We extend a special thanks to Ron for persevering through the telecommunications service issues that persisted through the interview and that required 12 separate recordings.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Series 7, Episode 3: Ralph interviews Ron Owens, former Builders Labourers Federation Secretary in South Australia, and the last Federal Secretary of the BLF, now 90 years old and living in Port Pirie in South Australia. Ron kicks off this episode describing his first job in the industry - a 6-year-long stint (building bridges in the states of SA and NSW) and joining the union (then 30 members strong when he started as one of two organisers) in the 1950s when the work was rugged as he helped fight for fair wages and conditions in a time when the award rate was notoriously low. In his time, Ron faced the task of negotiating the amalgamation of the BLF into the CFMEU after the unprecedented attacks on that Union in 1980s, and the sorry state of industry unionism that followed. He helped end the industry civil war that only assisted employers and their political mates. Stay tuned for Part Two, which begins in the '80s. We extend a special thanks to Ron for persevering through the telecommunications service issues that persisted through the interview and that required 12 separate recordings.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Series 7, Episode 2: Ralph interviews recently retired CFMEU OHS Asbestos Expert Peter Clark about his stint in the industry, with a particular focus on what drew him to the black-and-white nature of Health and Safety. From humble beginnings as a maintenance fitter and turner to his transition to unionism, they discuss the chalk 'n' cheese jobs in Melbourne City from a safety perspective, the shenanigans (good and bad), Peter's perspective on WorkSafe, WorkCover, common sense and standard practice over the years, and heaps more. Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace incidents, fatalities, and near-misses. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Series 7, Episode 1: To kick off Series 7, Ralph speaks with Sam Carrillo, who retired from his long and varied stint in the industry two years ago. He discusses his breadth of work and union roles over the years, and about his experiences in the Federal Court during the long-running case with the ACCC in relation to Boral. He finishes up with favourite memories, big changes, pride in his family who have persisted in the industry, his ongoing participation post-retirement, and more.Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace incidents and fatalities. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Content Warning: this episode contains some strong language. Series 6, Episode 4: Part two of our interview with Greg Phillips begins around the time of deregistration, when he was living in the country and coming back to the city occasionally for work. This episode features discussion around blues during his time as a shoppie, non-industry social issues,comradeship, green bans, shenanigans at the arbitration committee, fond memories of prominent unionists, and heaps more.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Content Warning: this episode contains some strong language. Our continuation of Series 6 features Part one of an interview with Greg Phillips, who got his start at the age of 17 in the mid-1970s when the industry, like him, was rough and ready. The first half on this interview features discussion of his memorable blues, run-ins with various bosses and parliamentarians at the time, industrial actions around improvements, and much more.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti The last instalment of our Summer Season features an archival interview with the late Bob Mancor and his life partner Audrey, recorded in 2010 by Juliet Fox as part of her PHD reasearch on Community Radio. This informal discussion features Bob's memories of his 7 years participating in the early days of the Concrete Gang Program, the history of 3CR and Community Radio more broadly, as well as his thoughts and stories about memorable people, union issues, politics, family, and more. We thank Juliet Fox for sharing her recording.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti This episode features Part 2 of the remastered archival interview with Norm Wallace (1926-2018), former BLF Branch Treasurer and organiser, conducted by Bobby Mancor, Shirley Winton and Andy Wallace around the kitchen table in 2015. Part 2 of this discussion begins when 20-year-old Norm returns from service in WWII, and his odd jobs in fruit picking, timber and factory work when 'rough living was what you did'. Later, at the Woomera Rocket Range, he began organising as a shoppy for the AWU and forming a job committee, when there were strict laws against industrial action, later joining the BLF and moving to Melbourne in 1949. This episode also covers his invitation to join their executive committee, Industrial Group 'groupers', dereg, memorable characters, the BLF's frequent well-attended and 'lively' meetings, also work conditions and other changes over the years. You can also check out the publication Never Powerless, which Norm was an important part of producing.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Our second instalment of this Summer Season features a remastered archival interview with Norm Wallace (1926-2018), former BLF Branch Treasurer and organiser, conducted by Bobby Mancor, Shirley Winton and Andy Wallace around the kitchen table in 2015. Part 1 of this interview features discussion of his family history and early life in the western suburbs of Melbourne, working as a paperboy during the depression and later in various factories (including his first strike as a boy at Commonwealth Fertilisers), and later joining the army in 1942 at 15 years old. This history includes his in-depth recollections of life (and the good old days of Footscray manufacturing), shifts in ideas during WWII, and much more, finishing up when he was discharged from the army at the ripe old age of 20. Stay tuned for Part 2, which will be published on the evening of Friday 26th January, 2024. You can also check out the publication Never Powerless, which Norm was an important part of producing.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti The first episode in our summer series features a group interview with Brian Boyd, Dave Kerin and Malcolm McDonald, and is based on the BLF History Group booklet “Never Powerless”, an in-depth history of the BLF through the years. This audio includes the full interview broadcast over two episodes during the Concrete Gang summer break, 31st Dec 2023 and 7th Jan 2024.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti This week's featured Creature of the Industry is the recently retired Brendan Pitt, who first dipped his toe in the industry in the Northern Territory working for John Holland. The training all really started, however, in 1981 when he was called in on a shutdown at the Shell refinery in Geelong where they needed a trade assistant, bringing him in contact with staunch organisers and down a path of unionism with the FIA, FEDFA and CFMEU. This long-format interview follows his experience of disputes, working away from home, the struggle for dignified wages, and heaps more.
The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti Kicking off the first episode of Series 6 is an extended interview with Creature of the Industry Joe Schiavello, from the perspective of an employer, beginning way back in 1960 at the ripe age of 14, and later starting apprenticeship as a joiner and carpenter. He discusses all aspects of his long stint in the industry, including highlights, lowlights, improvements for everybody, the impact of the pandemic and the future, family, and more.
The sixth and final episode of Creatures of the Industry Series 5 features an extended interview with recently retired Andy Wallace who, for the first time on the podcast, gives an account of the industry from the perspective of the plumbing sector, namely that of sprinkler-fitters. Beginning in what he describes as a 'lucky era with the BLs and the plumbers', with his brother and Uncle Norm already involved with the Union, he talks about his standout memories and people, general industry issues encountered in his decades of work and organising, as well as specifics pertaining to sprinkler-fitters from the '80s onward: tensions with registered plumbers and metalworkers, issues with the Plumbers' Federal Award, hard-fought pay and conditions which benefit all workers, being there for the crew, and heaps more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace-related fatalities. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Episode 5, Series 5 of Creatures of the Industry features Part 2 of an extended interview with Nick Moore, starting from his work in Trades Hall and noting his pride in being a part of the group fighting in the campaign to remove asbestos in the industry. Throughout this episode, Nick pays homage to the notable characters and disputes with anecdotes about his long and winding career, from dry toilets on suburban jobs and the asbestos-fibre-covered gantry crane... to confrontation with the ABCC after finishing up as Safety Officer with Abbey Group, and his appearances before state and federal commissions. He also discusses effects of amalgamation, unionising the smaller worksites, and "getting your foot in the door", ending on a laugh. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all pictures and links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace fatalities. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Episode 4, Series 5 of Creatures of the Industry features Part 1 of an extended interview with Nick Moore, beginning his story with a youth uninterested in responsibility, following through a series of incidental job offers that built his skillset in various sectors of the industry and also in bringing him to organising. In this episode, he highlights the no-nonsense approach he took to jobs and particularly safety, finishing with discussions of his experience of the Snowy Mountain Scheme and the big changes happening in the 1980s - technological advancements and particularly subcontracting - that changed the landscape of work in this country significantly. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 5, Episode 3: This episode of Creatures of the Industry features an extended interview with Dave Kerin, who gives his perspective on the industry as he experienced it, painting a picture of deep personal and political connections sparked during the late 60s anti-Vietnam War movement that informed his own unionism. They also discuss scaffolding, the introduction of tickets, 'EBAism', the right to function equal to employers, and the effect of the shrinking of the legal right to show solidarity. Looking to the future, he reflects that 'as a social movement, we're it', that unions have always been the voice of democracy within the economy, and only unions can drive change. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 5, Episode 2: This episode of Creatures of the Industry features Part Two of an extended interview with Don Rust, starting in the late '80s and the infamous Costain dispute, a short stint in remand at Pentridge and the subsequent court case. They also discuss dereg, amalgamation, big changes from the early 2000s, and some of the memorable achievements, losses, and characters in the industry throughout the years. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 5, Episode 1: Kicking off Series 5 of Creatures of the Industry, is part one of an extended interview with Don Rust. We begin the interview discussing his first experiences in the industry around the late '60s and joining the BLF when he worked as as a laborer and dogman early on, on-the-job training before the ubiquity of radios on site, the ins-and-outs of crainage across many jobs big and small. part one of this interview concludes with a discussion around Don's experiences with changes in technology and organising in the industry from the 70s and 80s, major issues, hours, stoppages, and... Grollo's Rialto contract. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
This episode of Creatures of The Industry is a memorial special, remembering the life of Peter 'The Bone' Welsh. First up, Ralph speaks to attendees at his send-off at the Grandview Hotel in Fairfield earlier this year, remembering him as a comrade, boss, mentor, and friend. Later, you'll hear an interview with Mick Cody, reflecting with Ralph after the event. You can listen back to the Season 2 episode Mick and Peter featured in together here. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 4, Episode 5: On the final episode of Series 4, Ralph has a discussion with the last three chairs of the Incolink board: Tommy Watson (ex-Secretary of the FEDFA Branch of CFMEU), Brian Boyd (ex-Secretary of the Vic Trades Hall Council), and Brian Welch (ex-CEO of Master Builders Association) They build a picture the industry and greater economic climate of the 1980s-'90s that culminated in the establishment of the small "Central Redundancy Fund", and the events (both good and bad) through which it became the Incolink we know today, a much broader social scheme, available 24/7 to its over 45,000 members. They also talk about issues and improvements for the future, what is already happening, and how to educate members and employers alike to its unique consensus structure, services and outcomes that ultimately benefit the industry.
Content Warning: this episode contains discussions of workplace injuries and fatalities, and suicide. You can also expect some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 4, Episode 4: This story, as told by guests Martin Bingham and Paul Sullivan, begins and ends with discussions of workplace safety in the industry. They take us through the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 1960s in which workplace actions were comparatively ad hoc (and pay a whole $1.95 per hour), through the practises and near misses working on the Westgate post-collapse, to their views on organising then vs now, and heaps more.
Series 4, Episode 3: This episode of Creatures of the Industry Series 4, features Part 2 of an interview with Fergal Doyle, who begins the story at the point where the brickies union was facing the "disappointing but unsurprising" result of losing amalgamation by 80 votes. He discusses the work in rebuilding a culture of organising through the '90s, his work for the CFMEU, a memorable blue in Hastings, and more, ending with a discussion around industry standards and political challenges for the future. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 4, Episode 2: This episode of Creatures of the Industry Series 4, features Part 1 of an interview with Fergal Doyle, who describes his family history which led him into industry as a bricklayer in Dublin, and the people and events through his journey to Melbourne which consolidated his political drive to unionism. This episode ends with a discussion of his experience of the brickies union, including economic recession and other historical events which led to the union becoming the "problem child" of the ACTU in the early nineties, where amalgamations were going off across the trade union movement. Stay tuned for the rest of the story - Part 2 will bepublished 10 March 2023. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains detailed discussion of workplace injuries and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 4, Episode 1: For the first episode of Creatures of the Industry Series 4, Ralph interviews Paddy Hanaphy with his wife Eva about his time in the industry, from his beginnings as a bricklayer in Dublin, in scaffold and steel in Europe, and finally to Australia in 1968. He discusses his time here with particular focus on his time working on the Westgate Bridge, being one of the survivors of its disastrous collapse in 1970. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 3, Episode 6: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. For the sixth and final episode of Creatures of the Industry Series 3, Ralph interviews Eddie Sanford about his time in the industry and union, including big changes, blues, wins, differences in his work between Liverpool, Sydney, and WA, and more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains detailed discussion of workplace incidents and fatalities, as well as some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 3, Episode 5: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. On this episode of Creatures of the Industry, Ralph invited Kevin Reynolds to have a conversation about his work in the industry and reflect of his union experiences since the WA resources boom in the mid-'70s. They also discuss strikes, blues, battles won, where collectivism is headed in this country, and much more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains detailed discussion of workplace deaths, injury, and suicide, as well as some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 3, Episode 4: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. On this episode of Creatures of the Industry, Ralph talks with Allan Hughes, Welsh Perth-based carpenter, ex-Cbus Super Coordinator & BWIU Delegate. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 3, Episode 3: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. On this episode of Creatures of the Industry, Ralph talks to Peter Ballard about his experiences in the industry. From his introduction to workplace politics in shearing sheds, starting out as a brickies labourer, his later involvement in notorious disputes in both VIC and WA, and through to retirement, this episode includes discussions about workers, awards, conditions, and more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains detailed discussion of workplace fatalities. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. In this special episode of Creatures of the Industry, Ralph presents a series of interviews recorded on October 15th 2022, at the the 52nd Anniversary of the 1970 Westgate Bridge disaster, which remains Victoria's worst and most fatal industrial incident to date. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of fatalities and suicides, violence, as well as some strong language. If you need somebody to talk to, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are a worker in the industry, you can access Incolink's Counselling Support service anytime by calling 1300 000 129, or find out about their Bluehats Suicide Prevention program here. Series 3, Episode 2: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. In this episode, Ralph hosts an extended interview with Joe McDonald, who discusses the history and trends of the WA union movement through the years, and his energetic and productive career in the WA union movement from humble beginnings as an apprentice bricklayer. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains some strong language. Series 3, Episode 1: Series 3 of COTI focuses on the construction industry in WA. Building workers are building workers and building work is building work wherever you are. In this episode, Ralph hosts an extended interview with Graham Pallot, comparing and contrasting elements of the building and construction industry between Melbourne, Perth, and some of regional WA, Graham also gives his analysis on the future of worker rights and fights in Australia's current political landscape, and much more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of violence, murder, suicide, workplace incidents and deaths, and also contains some strong language. Series 2, Episode 5: The fifth and final interview of series two features Phil Court, discussing his time in the construction industry, from scaffolding and the BLF to training and inspecting. He also talks safety, writing the Concrete Gang theme song, and his later role as a Presbyterian Minister. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of dispute-related injuries and some strong language. Series 2, Episode 4: An extended interview with Brian Boyd from the start of his career digging holes in QLD, through to his later work with Incolink, discussing differences between industry unionism vs. opportunist unionism, activism, amalgamation and more. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace accidents and fatalities, suicide, and some strong language. Series 2, Episode 3: An extended interview with Latrobe Valley resident, worker and union organiser Tom Malone. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Content Warning: this episode contains discussion of workplace accidents and fatalities, and some strong language. Series 2, Episode 2: An extended interview with Pat Preston about his long career in the industry, from humble beginnings as a "rigger" in the mid-1960s, to finishing up in the OH&S unit in the CFMEU. Thanks to Peter Clark for his contribution to this episode. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 2, Episode 1: A conversation with Peter Welsh, Daryl McGaw and Mick Cody, focusing on their experiences with the contract scaffolding sector of the industry in particular. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired on 3CR as a May Day Concrete Gang special program — Sunday 1st January 2022. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 1, Episode 5: A discussion with Malcolm McDonald. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired as part of 3CR's summer special programming while the Concrete Gang took their well-earned summer break — on Sunday 23rd January 2022. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 1, Episode 4: A discussion with Brendan Murphy. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired as part of 3CR's summer special programming while the Concrete Gang took their well-earned summer break — on Sunday 16th January 2022. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 1, Episode 3: Part two of an extended interview with Tommy Watson, Danny Gardiner & Noel Washington. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired as part of 3CR's summer special programming while the Concrete Gang took their well-earned summer break — on Sunday 9th January 2022. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 1, Episode 2: Part one of an extended interview with Tommy Watson, Danny Gardiner & Noel Washington. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired as part of 3CR's summer special programming while the Concrete Gang took their well-earned summer break — on Sunday 2nd January 2022. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti
Series 1, Episode 1: A conversation with Maurie Hill about how he came into construction through the mobile crane industry, his introduction to unions in the midst of deregistration, and more. This episode of Creatures of The Industry originally aired as part of 3CR's summer special programming while the Concrete Gang took their well-earned summer break — on Sunday 26th December 2021. The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. For a full list of episodes, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti