The union enters its second century, having played a major part in building the Queensland beef industry into one of Australia's main export earners.

Too often in recording events, the efforts of workers are minimised or ignored. Without the backbreaking work, isolation and crude working and living conditions of early meatworkers, the industry would not have developed.

The union was formed to win decent, humane conditions and adequate wages for meat workers. Overcoming difficulties and setbacks, the union established proud and democratic traditions, which remain today.

In 1989, our centenary year, 8501 men and women-from the poultry and red meat industries-go into the union's second century, enjoying equal rights and other fruits of past struggles.

They are determined to maintain and improve upon them.

The problems they face surprisingly are even more difficult and complex than those faced by the workers who rebuilt the union from the ashes of the 1890s.

The technological revolution has affected all aspects of life and work. It began in the meat industry when Can Pak was rightly considered a big step forward.

The perfection of methods for mechanical slaughtering will mean not only a big leap forward, but will cause fundamental change in every aspect of the industry. It will be a big challenge to the union.

The start of our second century poses many problems. Production is falling into fewer and fewer hands as Australian and foreign capital -mainly Japanese-invests in what is seen as a beef bonanza. Methods of production are changing as feed lotting expands.

Processing, like production, tells a similar story. Competition and the battle for export markets continue.

Meatworkers are entering exciting and complicated times.

By drawing on the past, seeking a greater understanding of the present and with courage and vision about the future, they will lay the foundation for the union to continue to protect and extend the rights of all members.