Modern Australian Labour Movement

Unionism and Working Rights in Australia from 1970 to 2008

Apr 23, 2008

A summary of the Australian labour movement from the 1970s to today, including union achievements and changes in government policy relating to unions and the workforce.

The 1970s lay witness to significant reforms for workers and unions. The Whitlam Labor Government, running for a short term from 1972 to 1975, introduced a number of working rights including equal pay. In 1973, four weeks Annual Leave was introduced and in 1977, the first work related childcare centre since World War II was opened. In 1979, the right of women workers to 12 months unpaid maternity leave was achieved.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) expanded in the late 1970s and early 1980s after the mergers of the Australian Council of Salaried and Professional Association (ACSPA) and the Council of Australian Government Employee Organisation (CAGEO).

Union Focus on Leave Entitlements, Superannuation and Enterprise Bargaining

In the 1980s and 1990s, the ACTU won a number of Test cases, implementing Adoption Leave, Parental Leave and Personal Carers' Leave. A 38-hour week was first achieved in Metal Industry and other awards in 1981. In 1984, a National Occupational Health & Safety Commission was established and universal superannuation for Australian workers was introduced in 1986.

In the late 1980s, unions began a drive for industry and award restructuring. In 1988, the Industrial Relations Act (1988) replaced the Conciliation and Arbitration Act (1904). Unions embarked on an Award Restructuring process and in 1990, the ACTU began campaigning to reform the Australian education and training system.

In 1992, enterprise bargaining was introduced into the Industrial Relations Act (1988) and union amalgamations accelerated. In 1993, the Victorian Government introduced legislation to reduce award and union coverage. In 1994 Industrial Relations Reform Act (1993) came into operation.

Changes to Industrial Relations Legislation Force Unions to Fight for Survival

In 1996, the conservative Howard government was elected and quickly introduced the Workplace Relations Act, reducing workers entitlements under awards and limiting unions' capacity to organise and pursue members' interests.

In 1998, the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) was involved in industrial action. The dispute was fiercely opposed by the government and the employer but was supported by unions and the community. The ACTU hailed the MUA dispute a great victory for the right to organise and to be a union member.

In 1999, the government’s push for further anti-union legislation was defeated by a combination of union and community activity. In the 2000s, unions and the ACTU led a community campaign against the Howard government’s industrial relations laws, labelled WorkChoices. The “Your Rights at Work” campaign was launched and union members and the community actively protested against the changes to industrial relations legislation.

The Rudd Labor Government Elected and WorkChoices Rejected

The November 2007 election proved many voters were unhappy with WorkChoices when the Howard government was voted out in favour of Kevin Rudd and Labor. The new Rudd government’s first move in parliament was to vote on getting rid of WorkChoices.

According to the ACTU, Australian unions and their members have achieved the following rights and conditions:

Unions in Australia celebrated the change in government, as they believe it is a significant step towards protecting these working rights and conditions.

For more information on Australia’s labour movement, please refer to the following related articles:

References:

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