Union member retires after 40 years
Alan Butterworth
Many things have changed since Alan Butterworth first started his career in 1969 - the companies he has worked for; including Masterfoods, Uncle Ben’s and most recently Mars Petcare. He has also undertaken various positions throughout his career, including leading hand, acting manager and forklift driver.
One thing has not changed. Mr Butterworth has always remained a union member. He first started as a member of the Federated Cold Storage Union, in the early ‘70s, which later amalgamated with other unions to become the NUW.
Decent pay rises and stable conditions were indicative of Mr Butterworth’s working life because of his union involvement.
“The Union has always been good to me,” Mr Butterworth explains. Although there wasn’t a union when he first started, things progressed over time to a period when all workers on site were union members.
Mr Butterworth admits the Union made sure everything was up to scratch. “The Union made sure we kept abreast of everything,” he comments. “Our conditions were pretty damn good.”
Travelling around Australia with his wife is now high on the priority list for Mr Butterworth who admits the thing he will miss most about work are his friends. Fortunately for him, regular fishing trips will keep them united.
