The COTI podcasts are sponsored by the Concrete Gang in cooperation with 3CR Community Radio. 
 For a full list of episodes and access to all links, visit www.3cr.org.au/coti

  Series 7, Episode 4:
 Ralph interviews Ron Owens, former Builders Labourers Federation Secretary in South Australia, and the last Federal Secretary of the BLF, now 90 years old and living in Port Pirie in South Australia.

 In his time, Ron faced the task of negotiating the amalgamation of the BLF into the CFMEU after the unprecedented attacks on that Union in 1980s, and the sorry state of industry unionism that followed. He helped end the industry civil war that only assisted employers and their political mates.

 This episode, Part 2 of the extended interview, explores all of these events, beginning in the early '80s. Ron discusses his perspective on these issues, his time as last Federal Secretary of the BLF, juggling state and federal roles in the union, and more.

 We extend a special thanks to Ron for persevering through the telecommunications service issues that persisted through the interview and that required 12 separate recordings.