He was appointed as an organiser with the Australian Workers ' Union in 1914 .
Was an executive councillor and the vice-president of the union 's Western branch from 1916 until his election to parliament in 1920 .
He was appointed as an organiser with the Australian Workers ' Union in 1914 , and was an executive councillor and the vice-president of the union 's Western branch from 1916 until his election to parliament in 1920 .