One-time Transport Workers Union Queensland state secretary Hughie Williams has passed away at age 84
Hughie Williams, former Queensland branch secretary of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has passed away.
According to TWU Queensland, Williams, who turned 84 on September 3, died peacefully in his sleep on the night of October 15.
Williams was state secretary from 1992 to 2010 and was the national president of the TWU in 2000. He was also state secretary during the early 1980s and had been secretary of the now defunct Brisbane sub-branch throughout the 1980s.
Williams has also competed at the 1964 Summer Olympics in wrestling and was involved in organising for Brisbane’s 1982 Commonwealth Games.
“Hughie was a stalwart of the union movement in his time as organiser and then branch secretary,” says current TWU Qld branch secretary Peter Biagini.
“Hughie dedicated his life to fighting injustices and was instrumental in the protests against the Springboks Tour in the 1970s.
“Hughie’s contribution to the union movement in fighting for the rights of transport workers in Queensland will not be forgotten and I extend my condolences to Hughie’s family at this time,” Biagini says.
Former Queensland premier Anna Bligh says whenever Williams found injustice, he struggled against it. “He stood up for the people of Queensland; he called it for what it was.” Bligh says.
Former Federal ALP leader Kim Beazley says Williams was the “real deal”.
“There isn’t anyone in this country of Anglo/Celtic background who had such a tough set of origins, humanly horrific circumstances and utterly grinding poverty.”
Williams lost his position with TWU Queensland in November, 2010 following a bitter election battle with Biagini.
Photography: Greg Bush