Former Transport Workers Union boss remembered as industry titan after losing cancer battle

A titan of SA’s union movement has died aged 63, less than two months after stepping down as the state’s branch secretary.

Former Transport Workers Union (TWU) leader Ian Smith has been remembered as a titan of the industry after his death following a cancer battle.

The 63-year-old, who was the union’s SA/NT Branch Secretary from 2017 until he stepped down in May 2024, had been a member of the TWU for 30 years and had a hand in many of the organisation’s most prolific pay wins and disputes.

After joining as a member in 1994 as a driver at TNT, Mr Smith went on to be the lead delegate for the TWU in South Australia for the first national enterprise agreement at TNT – the first of its kind in the country.

Fifteen years ago, Ian started as a TWU official, and two years after that was elected to branch assistant secretary and sat on the union’s National Committee of Management.

During his tenure, the TWU negotiated pay deals for Adelaide’s bus industry and took airline giant Qantas to the High Court over the illegal outsourcing of workers during the Covid pandemic.

Transport Workers Union NT/SA Branch Manager Ian Smith has died aged 63 after a cancer battle. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

Mr Smith (second from left, front row) has been remembered as a titan of the movement. Picture: Dean Martin

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said the union’s members and the broader transport industry “would not be where they are today” without Mr Smith’s immense impact.

He said the former branch secretary was respected and loved by those he served.

“For three decades, Smithy dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the pursuit of a safer, fairer, better life for transport workers, their families and all who share the roads and the skies,” Mr Kaine said.

“Taking on the likes of Qantas, Uber, Amazon, and major retailers would not be possible without people like Ian insisting that transport workers deserve better.

“The TWU will always remember the commitment of Ian and the support of his loving family.”

TWU SA/NT Branch Secretary Sam McIntosh said Mr Smith was known personally to many of the state’s members, who had seen his immense contribution and work ethic first hand.

“His passion for our members and their families is second to none, and his vision for the TWU SA/NT branch always extended far beyond his own tenure,” Mr McIntosh said.

“On behalf of the Branch Committee of Management, delegates and members, our thoughts and condolences go out to Ian’s wife Sue, daughter Maddie and his entire family.

“We will miss Smithy terribly and are all the more determined to continue his legacy and make Ian proud.”