John Ryall left Victoria university to work in a car assembly plant where he began his career in the Trade Union Movement. He has devoted his life to the collective power of working people, particularly the health sector with Pasifika and Tangata Whenua. John went from being a shop floor delegate to working foir the Hotel and Hospital Workers union in 1982. He then became Assistant Secretary of E Tu from which he recently retired. From an astonishing record of victories in the employment court, John negotiated a $2billion settlement for Care and Support Workers and many basic rights and conditions for workers. In spite of outlandish and brutal attacks against the Trade Union Movement from successive governments, John found new ways of organising and campaigning on behalf of working people. In retirement he continues to work on the Living Wage Campaign.

John will reflect on his 40 years in the union movement from the campaigns against nuclear warships and apartheid to the Care and Support Workers Pay Equity settlement.