Tony Maher was appointed to the position of General President of the Mining and Energy Division by the Central Council of the Division upon the resignation of John Maitland on 10 August 1998. Tony was subsequently confirmed in his position by election of the membership in May 2000 and May 2004.
Prior to the creation of the CFMEU through amalgamation, Tony was one of the national leaders of the FEDFA. This union (the FEDFA) was a craft union of engine drivers, boiler attendants, crane drivers and plant operators of all kinds. During the mid 1980's it had a membership of 45,000, making it the second largest union in the amalgamation process. However it's members were the minority in each industry which makes up the CFMEU.
Tony has held a variety of positions within the FEDFA and the CFMEU-including Industrial Officer, National Organiser, Assistant General Secretary, General Vice President and Senior General Vice President.
Until being appointed General President, Tony has had responsibility for advocacy in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and in various State jurisdictions in all positions held.
In the early 1990s Tony was one of the lead negotiators in the amalgamation of the FEDFA into the CFMEU.
Current role and responsibilities:
Tony has chief responsibility for the political and industrial affairs of the union. This includes directing the industrial campaigns of the union on wages and conditions (participating directly, where required, in negotiations with major companies) and supervising all liaison with Governments, employer organisations, Non-Government Organisations and other unions.
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