Concrete Gang History

Former Concrete Gang presenters & members of the BLF.
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A 50-year Anniversary archive of the Concrete Gang on 3CR. Historic episodes, discussions, industrial issues and disputes, iconic workers' music, and more.

Episodes

  1. 07/21/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 12 June 1977

    Concrete Gang - 12th June 1977 programListeners note: some issues with audio quality (including the short disruption in the middle of this show) are due to AM dial use during time of recording).This is a good example of early Concrete Gang listeners recording episodes on their own radios; thank-you to those who diligently kept records of the early days. Scotland beat England in soccer & Fraser is PMA Big Joke: Prices and wage freeze; wage indexation 6 months behind CPI.Report: some successes in $30 wage increase & afternoon smoko taken and enjoyed, despite that time being docked from pay.Response letter from BLF to Costain Australia Ltd: Austin hospital job workers pushing back against bosses docking arvo smoko pay & threatening to go to arbitration commission.Northern suburbs stoppage over national award.Big discussions on cost of living pressures: spouses & wives also feeling the crunch, cost of beer & the state of supply and demand.Song: Tar and Cement - Verdelle SmithA phone call on the log of claims.AMA Report: Double standards with blue collar vs white collar sentencing - last week a doctor defrauded Medibank $260,000, and a 24-year-old on the dole going down for 18 monthsUpdates & community events: Election ballot papers due soon, reminder to register for Long Service Leave, go see a movie on Woody Guthrie, monthly meeting upcoming. Come to 20 Coromwell St Collingwood to join plans for our show at 3CR. Write in with your constructive feedback.Personnel: 'Mick', 'Mario', 'Gabby', 'Willy', 'Colin', and more. Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  2. 05/01/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 29 May 1977

    Concrete Gang - 29th May 1977 programPromoting the 3AR (Melbourne’s first broadcasting radio station) playout of Concrete Gang program history and highlights - tune in on Monday Nights.Song: 1968 live cover of Woody Guthrie’s ‘Jackhammer Blues’, by Pete Seeger & Richie Havens.Report, 18th May newsletter updates & current log of claims: including $30 increase & afternoon smoko, MBA agreeing to talks, and walkoffs. Accounts of stop work meetings for national wage increase, walkoffs at 7 city sites with hundreds rank-and-file BLF members marching to MBA headquarters and confronted by police. Reading Norm Gallagher statement on arbitration commission & a private meeting with scaffolders.Interview with comrades Mick & Paddy from South Australia, and Neil from Western Australia for interstate BLF campaign updates.Song: ‘The Ballad of Frank Gardiner’ - Roger ThwaitesContinued interview with interstate comrades. Thoughts on Hawke and Fraser.Presenters: ‘Willy’, ‘Mario’, ‘Joe’, and more.Also Featuring: Mick & Paddy from BLF SA branch, and Neil from BLF WA.   Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  3. 05/01/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 22 May 1977

    Concrete Gang - 22nd May 1977 programBakery Hill development battle: Residents and BLF oppose McDonalds so-called development in Bakery Hill, Ballarat. Speaking to Jack Harvey and Jeff Hendey, members of the Bakery Hill Action Group about Ballarat’s history, how this project will affect the streetscape, and what are the alternatives.Interview with Norm Gallagher about current log of claimsReport: General Motors Holden investments in Australia with a breakdown of funds: wealth produced by workers vs US capitalists (General Motors US cut back its overseas factories in 1977).Song: The South Medomsley Strike by Tommy Armstrong, on the 1885 strike.Presenters: ‘Mario’, ‘Bruce’, and more.Also Featuring: Jack Harvey & Jeff Hendey from the Bakery Hill Action Group, Norm Gallagher.   Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  4. 03/24/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 8 May 1977

    Concrete Gang - 8th May 1977 programPromoting the 3AR (Melbourne’s first broadcasting radio station) playout of Concrete Gang program history and highlights - on Monday 9th May 1977, in the evening.Radio Quiz Show: students from ‘Melbourne Grammar’, ‘Geelong Grammar’, ‘Footscray Tech’ go head to head with ‘Quizmaster Danny Duck’Frasers new industrial relations legislation coming to ParliamentDeregistration proceedingsA song and some history for 1930s Harlem County miners in Kentucky: Which Side Are You On?Historical report on worker’s struggles in the 20sReading some listener lettersPresenters:‘Joe’, ‘Mario’, and more.   Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  5. 03/16/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 16 October 1976

    Concrete Gang - 16th October 1976 programLetter from a listener Bruce reads updates on East Timor & Fraser Government backflips with foreign policy; audio from Governor General and Foreign Affairs Minister statements vs. voices of the community - 'ordinary Australian people'.Keith reads a poem by Bartlett Adamson on Menzies' 1939 calls to establish a national register.An extended analysis of the 1975 lockouts, and its lessons.The nature of the disputes,Leaked MBA documents (published by the BLF in the Daily Press),Re-registeration of the BLF after MBA/BWIU meddling, andSome wins and some losses, including the right to strike.Miner's song, written for the riots for Hosken's mine workers in Lithgow ValleyThe Independent Assistance Commission (IAC) Report,The Government removing public arts funding,'culture' as a for-profit industry, andSpeaking to La Trobe University Academic Doug White about the report.Presenters: ‘Joe’, ‘Bruce’, ‘Keith’, and more.Also featuring: Governor-General John Robert Kerr, Foreign Affairs Minister Andrew Peacock, voices of community members; La Trobe University academic Doug White.   Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  6. 03/15/2025

    Concrete Gang History - 2 October 1976

    Concrete Gang - 2nd October 1976 programThe Fraser Government attacks on Medibank:Statement from BLF Vic Branch Secretary, Norm Gallagher:On the campaign to make the MBA pay the Medibank levy - not working people!Bruce reads a statement from Health Minister Greg Hunt.Rises in unemployment, criticisms of the USSR, and criticisms of the Concrete Gang's criticisms.Report: multinationals deliberately causing inflationLetter from a listener: land prices.The 1975 building industry lockouts:MBA's loss,A poem, and A letter from R.G. Gardiner, General Manager of EA Watts.Finishing up with some general announcements, including opposition to the proposed Omega nuclear site.Presenters: ’Joe', 'Bruce', and moreAlso featuring: Norm Gallagher, Poet Lorikeet   Head to www.3cr.org.au/concreteganghistory for full access to links and previous podcasts

  • 6 Episodes

About

A 50-year Anniversary archive of the Concrete Gang on 3CR. Historic episodes, discussions, industrial issues and disputes, iconic workers' music, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Former Concrete Gang presenters & members of the BLF.
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Concrete Gang History