Dear Antonios,

I wish you success.

I don't envy the task you've got ahead of you.

Still, you never know. They say that drop by drop water can erode a mountain.

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan "Press On" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

AS ok you have got me! eldest surviving son of 16 children son of a union delegate grandson of one of this country's first unionists.
You are right! some unions got lost!
But mate understand while this generation and the last dropped the ball, did not teach our kids the reason we have unions, I will never support thought control for kids.
This ALP federal government may well be the best of my life, I think it is.
Unions can learn much from it and its election.
Can you understand unions can NEVER grow back to what they once had been?
That members voted for Howard?
That Social justice can only survive if unions do?
But that unions must evolve hurting like you do because they are not taking your path will change nothing.
You can not plant spuds then complain because you are not harvesting tomato's.
put every lefties voter in one place true leftist , get every one in a union, and you have less than the 21% we have now.
I hope one day unions may understand the power they hold is property of each and every member.
And barter with both sides of politics for the best outcome for them before voting.
Union do not fight? find one of my members just one who thinks I do not fight.
on my shirt pocket, in words with every membership card I take, written on my heart.
These words I will never let you down

Belly,
I am afraid in the future we will need strong, very strong Unions, The power of multinational companies of big corporations is enormous and the changes, many, various changes will create big problems to labors. The good days past and we must start repairing for the bad one. WE WILL NEED VERY STRONG UNIONS

Dear Antonios,

And you will have strong unions because of people like yourself,
like Belly, and others that will follow in your footsteps.

As Belly said, without unions, there is no social justice.

Take care.

Union. creating connections with our society. Extending Union's base.
Labors have various interests, hobbies. If we can find a way to be supportive on their interests, hobbies then we can create a strong connection with them, much stronger and genuine than in workplaces. Let's name some hobbies biking, writing, drawing, singing, theater, sports, etc. The UNION HAVE MANY MEMBERS, MANY FRIENDS! do not underestimate the power of the Union. It is an other story if it do not use with the right way or at all its power. In my district we had a group of amateur actors who played in various places, also we had our own blood bank, blood donors. In other places music groups, chess or artists, sports. It is very easy to create this kind groups, Appoint a person responsible for these groups in federal or state level and put a permanent notice on the various editions from the Union. Put at the begin some basic rules, directions, find one- two persons who could play the leading role and leave them alone. Very soon these groups could stand on their feet and extend their size and performance. Phone the leading person to learn where they stand and start promoting their work with various ways. These groups will promote the Union in the society and will create an other image, side of the Union movement. There are thousands of people who want to create something on their free time, thousands of people who wants to have fun in a friendly environment. Many of them are mature, responsible, very good creators and leaders in their fields. WHAT REALLY THE UNION NEEDS TO DO IS TO BRING THESE PEOPLE TOGETHER AND PUT THE BASIC RULES, PROMOTION OF THE GROUP. But these groups will extent the base of the Union movement and improve its imaze.
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide

I AS live for my union, I am writing a book about my union and the need for change in unions.
I think our strength has been miss used at times and yes that we need to constantly improve.
To move with the times.
My life has seen me move from a youthful left wing activist to todays center unity faction of the NSW ALP.
Home at last with most who are unionists mainstream.
Unions need to get smarter then strength will come.
While no choice but Labor was given to us at the last election we must remind the ALP not to take us for granted.
Unions should not man the booths at the next NSW election.
Not door knock not help our child the ALP insult the union movement.
Just maybe AS an incoming conservative government can be a better result than being betrayed by your own family.
Unions will survive but they will change too our numbers at state conference should be used in the best interests of our members not our leaders.