David Cragg Dedicated Union Organiser, Advocate, and Historian

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David Cragg, a pillar of the Victorian trade union movement for over three decades and a tireless advocate for workers’ rights.

David began his journey in the labor movement at Titan Nails in Port Melbourne, a BHP Steel site, where he first joined the Federated Ironworkers’ Association. His dedication and commitment to his fellow workers led to his election as a Victorian Branch rank and file organiser in 1986, marking the beginning of a distinguished career in union leadership.

AWU Victoria Secretary Ronnie Hayden & David Cragg [Sept 2024]

From 1991 to 2009, David served at the AWU Victorian Branch before moving to the Victorian Trades Hall as its elected assistant secretary from 2009 to April 2018. Throughout his career, David organised workers in the funeral industry and metal shops and developed a passionate interest in workers’ compensation. He devoted significant energy to advocating for workers who suffered injuries or health damage through workplace exposure, an issue that remained close to his heart even after retirement.

David was not just a chronicler of union history—he was a vibrant character within it, becoming as colourful and memorable as the stories he loved to tell. With his trademark humour, boundless energy, and genuine warmth, David captivated all who knew him. His deep knowledge of labor history was matched only by his gift for bringing that history to life through animated storytelling that could transform any union meeting or casual conversation into an engaging history lesson.

Colleagues and friends alike would often find themselves drawn into David’s stories, where principled stands, strategic victories, and occasionally heroic defeats were recounted with such vivid detail that you felt as though you had been there yourself. His institutional memory and understanding of the movement’s roots proved invaluable to younger union members and leaders, who found in David not just a mentor but a beloved friend whose passion was contagious and whose heart was always open.

Even after his formal retirement in 2018, David’s commitment to the labor movement never stopped. He remained an active and vital presence in numerous capacities:

• He continued to represent the AWU on the Victorian Trades Hall Council Vocational Education & Training Committee from 2009 until his passing
• He served as the Union’s representative on the Victorian Skills Authority’s Manufacturing Industry Advisory Group from 2001-2009 and again from 2018 until his passing
• He selflessly stepped in as relief Workcover Officer for the Victorian Branch from 2009 to 2022, including during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic
• He represented the AWU at Victorian ALP Conferences from 1991-2022, including serving as Secretary of the Industrial Affairs Policy Committee from 2012 onward
• He served as a member of the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, with AWU support, from 2015 until his passing

Colleagues remember David as someone who faced challenging times with resilience and teamwork. He often recalled the period of 1998-1999 as particularly demanding, with 18 months of rolling disputes including the Patricks dispute. “It was a baptism of fire,” he once said, “but it built a great team, and we all grew together.”

David’s passion for improving the workers’ compensation system remained a focus throughout his life. He advocated tirelessly for better support for those with serious permanent or chronic conditions, believing that “our community needs to do a lot better on this.”

David will be deeply missed by his colleagues at the AWU, the broader union movement, and the countless workers whose lives he touched and improved through his advocacy. His legacy lives on in the stronger protections and rights that workers enjoy today.

Ronnie Hayden, AWU Victoria State Secretary

“David’s passing will be deeply felt by all who knew him. He made such a mark on the Union movement that it’s hard to imagine without him. As with so many of our industries, I feel we will never see the likes of him again. His dedication to fighting for what’s right will continue to inspire us long after he’s gone.”

Ben Davis, former AWU Victoria State Secretary

“David was one of life’s true gentleman and a true champion for working people, particularly injured workers. He was liked by everyone who met him, and we will all miss him greatly.”