Australia's Labour Movement Begins
The Start of Unionism in Australia from 1788 to 1899
A background on the beginning of the labour movement in Australia, including the strikes in the 1800s, Australia's first Trade Union Act, and the right to vote for women.
Unionism in Australia began in 1788 with the settlement of New South Wales as an English penal colony. Convicts and First Fleeters struggled for their basic rights for food and rest and these early strikes were the first signs of a labour movement in Australia.
The first recorded strike by convicts in the penal colony occurred in 1791, with strikers demanding a daily rather than weekly issue of rations. In the late 1700s and early 1800s further strikes on conditions and rations occurred.
Union Formation and Strikes
The early 1830s saw the formation of a number of unions, including the Shipwrights union in 1830, the Boatbuilders union in 1831, and the Cabinetmakers union in 1833. In 1838, the Society of Compositors proved unions were important for Australian workers with a successfully strike for a weekly wage increase of 5s5d.
In the 1840s, economic depression led to the 1843 formation of the Mutual Protection Society, which worked to protect the interests of the middle and working classes of New South Wales. In 1844, the Early Closing Movement sought the reduction of working hours from 14 to 12 per day. In 1848, workers involved in political activity led to the formation of the Anti-Transportation League.
From 1850 to 1899, the early developments of today’s trade unions were formed in Australia. Many craft unions began in this period, such as the 1850 formation of the Stonemasons union. In 1856, the Stonemasons in Melbourne and Sydney formed the Eight Hour Day Movement to establish a national standard.
Trade Unions and the Fight for Wages
In 1869, workers at the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station in Victoria demanded wage payments for their labour and official tenure of the station. The Sydney Trades and Labor Council was formed was formed in 1870, and the following year, 1871, the Trade Union Act was passed.
In 1873, the Amalgamated Miners Association was formed, followed by the first Seamans Union the same year. In 1878, The Seamans Union organised the maritime strike against the use of cheap Chinese labour by the Australian United Steam Navigation Company.
In 1879, the Inter-Colonial Trade Union Congress was formed, the forerunner of today’s Australian Council of Trade Unions. In 1881, The New South Wales Trade Union Act was passed assuring union rights and registration.
Unions Flourishing and Women Win the Right to Vote
In the 1880s, the Victorian Tailoresses Union, Waterside Workers Union and the Shearers Union were formed. In 1890, the first employers unions were formed, the Pastoralists Union the Chamber of Manufacturers and the Steamship Owners Association.
Unions in Australia were flourishing in the late 1800s and strikes over wages and working hours were common. In the 1890s, the Shearers Union went on strike over freedom of contract and, in Broken Hill, miners went on strike over wage cuts.
In 1891, the Australian Labor Party was formed. Today, it is the oldest political party in Australia. In 1894, women won the right to vote in South Australia, a first in the world. This was a great victory for women and the women's right to vote in New Zealand and around the world soon followed.
The 1900s would see Australian trade unions and their members fighting for better working rights and conditions with annual leave and eight hour days secured for workers.
For more information on Australia’s labour movement, refer to the following related articles:
Australia’s Unionism in the 1900s (1900 – 1969)
The Modern Australian Labour Movement (1970 to 2008)
References:
The Australian Council of Trade Unions - About Trade Unions
The Australian Trade Unions Archive – Timeline
