THE export industry was notorious for poor wages, bad conditions and a strong anti-union stance by employers.

Despite this, workers made gains at shed and district level. Conditions still varied between sheds, however, sometimes dramatically.

The Government set up wages boards under the industrial Peace Act of 1908 to determine wages and conditions for various industries. The union was wary of becoming involved with the boards, believing it could achieve more by direct bargaining with the bosses. It wanted a round-table conference with all export employers to seek an agreement covering all sheds.

After a long sitting of the Wages Board in Townsville in 1910, Jack Crampton with some fancy footwork got employers to agree to meet the union for this purpose. The date was fixed for early March 1911.

Widespread discussions with members to formulate a log of claims created optimism and enthusiasm, and strengthened unity among rank and file members and between them and their leaders.

But isolation and poor communications between the districts and sheds hindered preparation of a log of claims acceptable to all. So that differences could be discussed and sorted out, it was wisely decided to convene a conference of delegates from all parts of the state, in Rockhampton in the first week of December 1910.

Eleven export plants were then operating in Queensland; three in canning only, four in frozen products only, the others a combination of both. The industry was also, widely scattered: the Northern District had Ross River, Alligator Creek, Burdekin and Torrens Creek; Central Queensland District had Lakes Creek and Gladstone, and in the Southern District were Buruda, Pinkenba, Redbank and Queensport.

The, membership at the time was some 4500, with 40 percent-1900-in the Northern District, which played a big part in formulating the log.

The first-ever delegates' conference not only agreed on the export industry log of claims, but also fleshed out a general policy on wages and conditions. It tackled problems arising from membership growth and the need for a common organisational structure. It replaced the cumbersome pence card with half-yearly tickets and decided to affiliate with the political wing of the labour ~ movement, the Australian Labour Federation.

Held only four years after the union's revival in 1906, the Rockhampton conference created a consolidated and united state-wide union led by capable and experienced officials.

The union was well prepared for the conference with the export companies in March 1911. The five proposals for discussion were preference, minimum wages, rates and limits for daily work on the slaughter floor, demarcation between freezers and other workers, and a full day's pay when less than a day's work was offered.

After several days' discussion, preference for unionists was accepted, but other items met stiff opposition. The conference appeared deadlocked until Sir Robert Philp, a leading politician and chairman of directors of Queensland Meat Export Company, owners of Ross River and Pinkenba, personally intervened.

After his short discussion with employer representatives, the stubborn opposition to union claims melted and agreement was reached.

Not all the claims were successful, but the outcome- especially the preference agreement-satisfied union delegates.