September 24, 2020
The death of Peter Simpson – former secretary of the Electrical Trades Union Qld and NT branch – from melanoma was announced on Thursday.
Mr Simpson would be best remembered in the South Burnett for spearheading the Not4Sale campaign against the proposed privatisation of public assets, including local power stations.
He served as secretary of the ETU from 2009 until June 2016 when he announced his resignation after being diagnosed with terminal melanoma.
ETU State Secretary Peter Ong said “Simmo” would be remembered for his commitment to the value of a “fair go”.
“Simmo stood up for our members and all Queenslanders and their future when he campaigned against privatisation of public assets, he was a warrior for the working class and will be greatly missed by our union family,” Mr Ong said.
ETU State Assistant Secretary Stuart Traill said Mr Simpson would be remembered for his unyielding commitment to leave the place better than he found it.
“Simmo was never afraid to stand up and be counted on issues some see as not union business. He campaigned hard against the nuclear industry, he was a champion for Indigenous rights and despised discrimination and warned against the rise of white supremacy. He was a comrade and a friend.”
Mr Simpson grew up in the NSW country town of Harden.
He joined the electricity industry as a 17-year-old apprentice trainee linesman with the South West County Council in Young.
After moving to Queensland, he became an overhead linesman at SEQEB.
ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the trade union movement was mourning the death.
“Simmo was the best of what unionism is. Committed to the progress of working people and their right to a better life; willing to stand up for the values he held so dearly. Always up for the fight,” Ms McManus said.
“He was principled and respected, a deft strategist and an incredibly tough fighter.
“Simmo understood that everything the working class had gained over generations was a result of years of struggle and solidarity, and he committed himself wholly to the movement’s aim of improving the lives of working people.”
Mr Simpson is survived by his mother, his wife Penny, their children, and grandchildren.
