Born in England. Life as seafarer from 1944-1955, joining British Seaman's Union. Emigrated to New Zealand, working as lineman with New Zealand Post Office from about 1955. On the permanent staff of the Post Office Association (later Union) from 1969; National Secretary of the Post Office Union, from 1982; Chairman of the Combined State Services Commission, from 1987; Secretary-General of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.
Burgess, Ronald, 1928-
Burgess, Ron, 1928-
There are 7 related items to this topic
Audio
Interview with Ron Burgess
Date: 22 Dec 1998
From: Trade union oral history project
By: Burgess, Ronald, 1928-
Reference: OHInt-0478/01
Description: Ron Burgess was born in England in 1928 and worked as a seaman until 1955 when he came to New Zealand. Describes living in Timaru and working for the South Canterbury Electric Power Board. Recalls the need for change and beginnings of involvement in the New Zealand Post Office Union. Discusses Ivan Reddish and a `go slow'. Comments on the equal pay campaign. Discusses Muldoon, the wage feeze, the fourth Labour Government and Rogernomics, Jim Knox, Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble, David Lange, Stan Rodger and Jonathan Hunt. Explains time as chair of Combined State Union (CSU) and secretary of NZ Council of Trade Unions. Recalls problems faced and the 'unreal atmosphere' of compulsory unionism. Accompanying material - biographical notes supplied by Ron Burgess, newspaper clippings Abstracted by - Shaun Ryan Interviewer(s) - Shaun Ryan Venue - Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007229-OHC-007233, OHC-007288 Quantity: 6 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 5.45 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1794. Black and white photo of Ron Burgess taken in 1974 in abstract Search dates: 1928 - 1998
Audio
Interview with Ron Burgess
Date: 1, 29 June 1989 - 01 Jun 1989 - 29 Jun 1989
From: Trade Union Oral History Project
By: Burgess, Ronald, 1928-
Reference: OHInt-0112/7
Description: Ron Burgess born 1928. Describes childhood in West Hartlepool, England. Talks about family background - father was a riveter. Gives reasons for leaving school early. Describes family poverty with reference to the `Guardians'; early employment; political and trade union attitudes of his family; becoming a seaman; activities in British Seamen's Union and life at sea in post-war years with the Union Castle Line. Recalls decision to emigrate to New Zealand, taking a coastal trader (Purple Emperor) to New Zealand. Talks about help offered by New Zealand Watersiders in New Plymouth and his move to Timaru where he worked first with Power Board, then with Post Office as a linesman. Describes in detail his growing involvement with the Post Office Association. Describes and assesses Ivan Reddish and Churchill as leaders. Discusses the change from being an Association to becoming a union, the Post Office Union. Describes the setting up of and his involvement with the CSSO, Combined State Services Organisation, the formation of the CTU, Council of Trade Unions, and its activities. Talks about various union negotiations and his role during the 1980s. Gives his views on the union movement and politics. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Cath Kelly Venue - Council of Trade Unions (CTU) Offices, Wellington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-002869-002871; OHLC-000671-000673 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB-0548. One photograph of Ron Burgess
Image
Watson, Peter, active 1970-1979: "We'll let the D.G. prove that he knew that I didn't k...
Date: [ca 1979]
From: New Zealand Post Office Union: Photographs and art work relating to people and activities associated with the New Zealand Post Office Union and its publication "The Katipo"
Reference: A-474-060
Description: George Peters, Director General of the Post Office speaking, and Rob Nesbitt (president Post Office Association (POA) 1977-1979) and Ivan Reddish (General Secretary POA 1965-1979), probably at the annual POA conference in 1979. Based on a photograph within the same collection, held at PAColl-10588-5-12. Inscriptions: Recto - bottom right - Peter Watson [in ink] Quantity: 1 photocopy/ies. Physical Description: Photocopy of original cartoon, 255 x 295 mm
Manuscript
Notes - Brooks-Butterworth
From: Roth, Herbert Otto, 1917-1994: Collected papers, personal papers, photographs and ephemera
Reference: MS-Papers-6164-013
Description: Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Manuscript
Employment Equity Campaign national strategy meeting - Papers
Date: Apr-May 1989
From: Orr, Elizabeth Welch, 1929- : Research and literary papers
Reference: MS-Papers-8584-16
Description: Contains agenda, minutes and speeches from the Employment Equity Campaign national strategy meeting. Quantity: 1 folder(s).
Other
Politicians
Date: Date unknown
From: New Zealand Post Office Union: Photographs and art work relating to people and activities associated with the New Zealand Post Office Union and its publication "The Katipo"
By: Batchelor's Candid Studio; S P Andrew Ltd
Reference: PAColl-10588-3
Description: Comprises photographs of politicians, some of whom were Postmasters-General, taken by mainly unidentified photographers. Photographs are either from Post Office Association or Union conferences or are formal portraits. Title transcribed from item. Arrangement: Photographs were originally in an envelope labelled " F Politicians" Quantity: 8 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Black and white photographs of various sizes
Video
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions : Videorecordings of conferences
Date: 1985-1987
By: Burgess, Ronald, 1928-; Cameron, Wesley Raymond, 1928-2006; Douglas, Kenneth George, 1935-2022; Jones, Rex Elliott, 1951-; Neary, Anthony Joseph, 1923-2000; Rodger, Stanley Joseph, 1940-; Smith, Jackson, 1936-; Stubbs, Henry Pooley, 1950-; Tucker, William Ernest Berrie, 1928-2007
Reference: OHColl-1683
Description: Recordings of New Zealand Council of Trade Unions conferences from the late 1980s. Title supplied by Library. Quantity: 8 videocassette(s) U-matic. Search dates: 1985 - 1987