|
Paul was involved with the "techs Union" (the ATEA) after moving into the Technical grades from the Lines Grades, and joined us in March 1990 after being involved in the then Lines Union (APTU) for some time previously. So that's around 36 years as a member of our Techs Union, and a number of years as APTU member in the Lines area. I first came across Paul in his Technical role at the Telstra Mobiles depot and office in 301 Middleborough Rd, Box Hill Sth (previously Clarice Rd) in the mid 90's. Paul worked with a number of our good members Ian Macallum, Gerry Scarcella, Neil Walker, Peter Clifford, Paul Kunek, Greg Halley, Rod Wilcox, Peter Buissink, to name a few. Let's just say there was an interesting bunch there, and a number of local challenges. Paul and Paul Kunek (PK) came to prominence in Union circles where they successfully (after a lot of Telstra legal and management manipulation) were re-instated back into Telstra, although not into the Mobiles area, around 2006. The cause of the dispute was a failed attempt by a local manager to get rid of them by a "reduction of numbers in a group" redundancy selection process carried out by a local manager, who subsequently ended up getting moved to the Global Operations Centre at Clayton and gathered a further reputation there. Paul and Paul Kunek were the only ones in my history in the union (from 1994 on) who achieved re-instatement back into Telstra there have been very few over the years. In true Telstra tradition, after getting a slap from the Fair Work Commission, both were reinstated to rather menial, untenable field positions, and both subsequently resigned. Most of you Telstra people will know there was considerable resistance to Paul and PK being reinstated into Mobiles. |
|
According to our (less than perfect !!) membership records and notes, Paul went on to be a member of the Victorian Branch Committee of Management when Len Cooper was Branch Secretary, around 2011, and was subsequently elected Victorian Branch President on a number of occasions, whilst I was Branch Secretary.
Paul was also elected over time, at a national level, as the Branch's Divisional Conference Delegate, and Divisional Executive member.
Paul went on to be involved with a number of technical training roles, including Holmesglen TAFE. Involved in many. As a result of his work in this field, he became involved in many circumstances where the Union needed advice and assistance and was recently involved as our rep on various National Industry Training Board roles, with previous ATEA National Secretary Kevin Fothergill and others.
Paul was made a life member of this Union, shortly before his passing. We have set high hurdles to reach that award, and Paul satisfied all of those. The Branch will sorely miss Paul's sage advice at BCOM meetings and we honour his contribution.
Vale' Comrade Paul Lightfoot. Thanks for your lifetime contribution to the Union movement, your workmates, the technical workforce, and in particular, your tireless work for the members of the Techs union in its various iterations and amalgamations. We also thank you for your dedicated support and assistance to the Telecommunications & Services Branch and its officials.
John Ellery Assistant Secretary
 | C W U |