DIVISION FOUR COUNCILLOR

John Pedersen joined AFULE January 1984, and has been an active union member throughout all his railway career. Starting by attending Local Depot Union Meetings as a committee member before taking on more senior positions such as Secretary of the Maryborough AFULE Sub Branch in 2002. In 2002 in addition to being Sub Branch Secretary John was elected in the Proxy position for the Division Four Councillor. When the 2008 AFULE Election came about John took the opportunity to nominate for the Division Four Councillor.

Like many within the Rail Industry, John comes from a strong Unionised Rail Family, both John's father and and grandfather both worked within the Rail Industry before him. When joining the AFULE in 1984, John was employed by Queensland Rail as an Engine Cleaner. During his first few weeks on the job Queensland Rail rain the first trial of Two Driver Operation run trains, securing employment for Engine Cleaners for years to come.

After 5 years as an Engine Cleaner John sat for and was qualified as Fireman in 1989. Working as a Fireman saw John travel West from his hometown of Maryborough doing stints in the suburbs of Monto and Gayndah.

Mayne ran a Training School in 1991, which John Pedersen was in attendance. The Training School enhanced John's rail career via promotion to Assistant Driver. John continued working from Mayne Depot until taking a transfer with promotion to Qualified Driver at his home town of Maryborough. John settled in comfortably to the Maryborough Depot, establishing himself within AFULE Sub Branch and gaining the support of it's members. In addition to taking on union responsibilities John furthered his traincrew career by stepping up into Tutor Driver position at Maryborough in 1999.

John is a passionate advocate for the rights of AFULE members and their fair treatment by management, backed with a wealth of knowledge specialising in freight traincrew agreements.

John can be contacted on 0407 812 062.

STATE SECRETARY

Known to most members as Mick, Michael McKitrick was a Locomotive Driver from the coal fields prior to taking the role at the AFULE State Office. Mick started in the Railway Industry in 2000 working various roles before qualifing as a Driver at the Jilalan Depot in 2008. Mick thoroughly enjoyed his time behind the controls and is proudly continuing the union motto of "Traincrew Representing Traincrew".

Mick comes from a strong unionised Railway background. Many family members, consisting of his Grandfather, Father, Uncles and Sibilings have worked within the Rail Industry and Mick's father completed 44 years of service with Queensland Rail.  Mick grew up amongst the tracks and has ample knowledge of the Industry. With Union values running strong in Mick's viens, he took the opportunity to join the AFULE State Office in early February 2016 as the AFULE Organiser.

Since 2016 Mick has been on the roads regularly visiting all regions of QLD to chat with members, attend sub branch meetings, deliver union training to delegates and activists, and attending all EBA bargaining and negoations. During his extensive travels Mick never misses an opportunity to hear what issues Traincrew are facing on the ground.

With many more challenges lying ahead to improve traincrew workplace conditions Mick is confident that working in solidarity can combat them all.

The workers united will never be defeated!

You can contact Mick at the office (07) 3844 9163 or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

VICE PRESIDENT

Andrew Caris has been elected as your State Vice President for the upcoming term. Prior to this election, Andrew was the Division One Councillor encompassing members from Mackay, Stuart, Townsville, Hughenden, Cloncurry, and Mount Isa Depots.

Andrew is a Locomotive Driver Trainee attached to Aurizon’s Bulk North East Business unit and is based at the Stuart (Townsville) Depot. He commenced his railway career as a trainee driver at Callemondah (Coal South) in 2011 before transferring to the Bulk business in 2013. He has since held a committee position within the Stuart Sub Branch advocating for the rights of members and representing members interests throughout disciplinary investigations, industrial matters and general conflicts with management. He also acted as Proxy Division One Councillor for several years prior to his Divisional Councillor election in 2020.

Andrew is a firm believer in ‘power to the people’ and has a long trade union/employee association history which commenced in 1984 as a member of the then Brisbane College of Advanced Education Student Union responsible for the representation of the student body across the four BCAE campuses.

From 1987 to 2011 Andrew held various official elected positions within sub branches of the Queensland Police Union of Employees, during this time Andrew vigorously defended the rights of members against hostile management and government actions and actively participating in Enterprise Bargaining negotiations for better working conditions & wages for over 10000 members.

Andrew is extremely passionate about defending our members industrial rights and ensuring our members receive both professional courtesy and procedural fairness in all interactions with rail industry management. Andrew is also committed to educating our membership to a better understanding of the EBA’s and their respective implications in the workplace.

Andrew is regarded as an honest, reliable and trusted advocate of the AFULE membership and is strongly committed to the values, rules and ethos of the AFULE and its membership.

Andrew can be contacted on 0419 797 292.

PRESIDENT 

Anthony has been elected as the AFULE State President for the 2023 term.

While the Division 5 Councillor Anthony actively advocating members concerns and attended various meetings with regards to AFULE members, Anthony was also actively involved in the 2020 Queensland Rail negotiations.

Ever since joining the AFULE Anthony has been an active advocate for the union and continues to be involved in the implementation of rosters and Leave committees. When AFULE held the 2016 election Anthony nominated himself for the Proxy Division 5 position. Anthony saw this as an opportunity to learn from the wealth of knowledge and experience of the Rail Industry which members of the AFULE Divisional Council have obtained during their individual careers. Anthony was than elected as the Division 5 Councillor in the 2019 election. 

Since starting in the Rail Industry for Queensland Rail in 2007 as a transit Officer, Anthony quickly made career choices to move into traincrew. Firstly, as a guard in 2008, and then June the following year graduating as a qualified Locomotive Driver. Anthony was based in Mayne Depot from 2009 until transferring to Kippa Ring in 2016. Anthony is currently a Tutor driver in Mayne for Queensland Rail.

Anthony is very appreciative to be given the opportunity of being State President of the AFULE and hopes to support the membership with education and representation.

Anthony can be contacted on 0408 562 494.