The Australian Services Union today mourns the loss of a true leader of the Australian union movement.
Our National Secretary David Smith sadly passed away unexpectedly on Friday following complications from a surgical procedure.
David was always a kind, thoughtful, honourable unionist and leader.
Always considered in his advice and unwavering in his loyalty. He gave so much to our union and we are stronger for it.
David’s respect for others and humility belied his extraordinary life-long contribution to a better quality of life for working Australians.
Having started on the shop floor as a clerk at Queensland Rail, David got involved in our union at a young age. He worked for our members for almost three decades, beginning in 1991, rising quickly to Assistant State Secretary in 1993 and Queensland Branch Secretary in 2001.
David ran the Equal Pay case in Queensland in the state commission, which provided the foundation for the landmark national Equal Pay case that saw pay increases of between 23-45% over eight years for social and community services workers. Under David’s leadership, the union also delivered the first ever workplace agreement with provision for domestic violence leave.
We will miss David terribly and our thoughts are with his family, friends and comrades at this extraordinarily difficult time.