Remember When: Bjelke-Petersen government threatened unions with deregistration over fight

WATER supplies, it was feared, could fail in the wake of a statewide strike as the 38-hour week issue came to a head between local authorities and their outside workforces.

Flashback: Council’s water battle

Gold Coast Bulletin, Tuesday June 19, 1984

WATER supplies, it was feared, could fail in the wake of a statewide strike as the 38-hour week issue came to a head between local authorities and their outside workforces.

The State Government had already waded into the centre of the dispute and was strongly considering initiating deregistration procedures against two trade unions.

It wanted to move against the Australian Workers’ Union and the Plumbers and Gasfitters Union but both were adamant in not budging from their claims.

The dispute escalated after two plumbers employed by the Logan City Council were sacked for refusing an unspecified duty.

The rest of the Logan workforce walked off the job and only returned hours later after the promise of an immediate State Industry Commission hearing into the incident.

Employment and Industry Affairs Minister Vince Lester emerged from a Cabinet meeting and said: “I have the forms for the deregistration of the unions in my hand,” he said.

Gold Coast Bulletin, June 19, 1984. Front page.

“We will not allow these workers to defy the government.

“I have the forms for deregistration and if things aren’t right by tomorrow morning I will use them.”

Blue collar workers employed by 134 councils throughout Queensland were involved in a campaign for 38-hour, nine day fortnight.

Many local authorities, including the Gold Coast, had granted the claim but others, including Logan Redlands and Albert, resisted it.

Union organiser John Thompson said workers were not afraid of the deregistration threat.