I commenced working for the Building Workers Industrial Union (BWIU) as an organizer in 1980. After 11 years in the NSW Branch I was elected as the National Assistant Secretary of the BWIU. In 1993 I was the first National Secretary of the Construction Division of the newly formed Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). After 13 years in this role I became the National Secretary of the entire union. From 2007 -2010 I was a Vice President of the ACTU. From 2002 -2010 I was the International President of a world wide Building Workers Federation. After leaving the union at the end of 2010 I worked as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, taught Industrial Relations/Law at UNSW, worked on government boards and been a Director of the Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT). I am now retired.