People Australia

‘Curly’ Ryan (c.1887-?) abattoir worker and trade unionist

Birth: about 1887. Marriage: details unknown.  Death: details unknown. 

• Started work as a boy picking paunches for Gribbins at the South Melbourne Abattoirs. Worked in slaughtering trade with Tate Bros. at South Melbourne Abattoirs for thirty years.
• Was employed at Skehans at South Melbourne Abattoirs from about 1936 until he retired in 1956.
• In about 1903 had joined the Meat Industry Union [later Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union]. Was union delegate at South Melbourne Abattoirs for thirty-eight years until he retired. Member of committee of management of Victorian branch of union for twenty-five years.
• Regular representative of union at round-table conferences with employers on claims for improved wages and conditions of employment. Official at union’s annual picnic.

Sources
Meat Employees’ Journal, May-June 1963, p 27.