Jock Blair was a senior shop steward in the Pilbara and, because of his study of computerization in the 1970’s was recruited by Laurie Carmichael to help build the union’s own computerization of its office administration and, later its word processing capacity.

Carmichael was an avid student of developments in technology and computerization. He applied what he learned to union policies and strategy for union members to gain as much control as possible in their workplaces. He also argued, successfully, for the union to be in the forefront of applying the technology for the benefit of the members in its own operations.

Jock Blair mentions the team that implemented the decisions made at the National Council of the union that Carmichael had proposed or argued for.