The man most responsible for building the SDA into Australia’s largest union, has died aged 82.
Jim Maher, long-time State Secretary and National President of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) until his retirement in 1995, died Thursday from a heart condition.
Current National SDA Secretary Joe de Bruyn said: “Whether Jim was dealing with Prime Ministers, Premiers or retailers, he always put his union members’ interests first and foremost.”
SDA Victoria Secretary, Michael Donovan said Mr Maher had been a dominant union figure in Australia for 50 years.
“Jim led the union movement’s push for equality in pay and opportunity for women in the workforce,” he said.
“Jim also achieved a huge breakthrough for all workers in 1988 when shop assistants were the first to receive universal superannuation through an award negotiation over Saturday afternoon trading.”
Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke only two weeks ago gave a glowing tribute to Mr Maher at the launch of the SDA’s Centenary publication.
“I can say this quite genuinely: there was no unionist I dealt with that I admired more than Jim Maher.
“We had our differences on political and social issues but there was never any doubt about the total commitment of Jim personally, and the dedicated leadership he provided.”
He described Jim’s contribution to the SDA in Victoria and nationally as “profound and enduring”.
Jim Maher joined the SDA in 1946 and when he retired as National President in 1995, the union was Australia’s largest with more than 230,000 members.
He was State Secretary from 1973-1991 and National President from 1970-1995. He was also an ACTU Vice-President for more than 10 years, retiring as Senior Vice-President. He received the Order of Australia (AO) in 1988 for his contribution to Australian and international trade unionism.
He was also particularly proud of the union’s efforts regarding the struggle in Poland for the “Solidarity” movement which culminated in Jim receiving the then highest Polish civilian award, the Polish Commander’s Cross. He is survived by his wife Frances.
