TRADE UNIONS IN AUSTRALIA
MAJOR EVENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2011
After a decade in government NT ALP still to provide workers’ compensation protection
to ABN workers (as is the case in all other Australian jurisdictions) under an expanded
definition of worker in the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
Some Muckaty Station traditional owners seek Federal Court intervention to cease the
proposed Federal government declaration of the area for a Nuclear Waste dump.
ASU ‘Equal pay National Day of Action’ for social and community sector workers occurs.
Second wave NT intervention proposed by Gillard government.
Unions NT secures 3 year agreement for Healthy Worker (Construction industry) project.
NT Government introduces banned drinkers register to further limit harmful alcohol
consumption and anti-social behaviours.
2010
Kevin Rudd replaced by Julia Gillard as Prime Minster. Warren Snowdon MHR for
Lingiari appointed as a Minister in the Federal government.
Expansion of Superannuation Guarantee Charge to a universal 15% employer
contribution proposed by Labor Government to be funded by a proposed mining rent
tax.
Carbon Tax proposed by Gillard Government.
Muckaty Station NT nominated by traditional owners for proposed nuclear waste dump.
Federal government proposes to legislate NT Nuclear Waste Dump by mid-2011
2009
1.2 million workers union members. Unions NT has 18 affiliated unions and over 22,000
members. Several unions not affiliated in NT. Police, SDAEA, TWU and AWU.
ALP affiliate unions in NT: ALHMWU, AMWU, ASU, AWU, CIWU, CEPU,
CFMEU, CPSU, MUA, NUW, SDAEA, TWU. Not affiliated to ALP in NT: AEU, AFPA,
AIMPE, ANF, APESMA and NTPOA.
20th Anniversary of the establishment of Group Training Northern Territory (formerly Top
End Group Training)
Alcohol Management Plans introduced throughout NT communities in partnership
between Federal and NT governments with objective of limiting alcohol related harms
and anti-social behaviours. Purchasers of more than $100 of alcohol required to provide
identification at licensed premises. Initiative scrapped after 12 months as it was
unworkable.
2008
Fair Work Act introduced. Safework Australia established.
2007
‘Your Rights at Work’ campaign organized by ACTU with strong membership
supportand rallies held throughout Australia.
New Workplace Health and Safety Act and Workers’ Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act replaces Work Health Act in the NT. HSRs introduced in NT for
the first time.
Labor Federal Government elected. Kevin Rudd elected as Labor Prime Minister.
Federal Work Choices Act abolished. Unfair dismissal laws tightened, Australian
Workplace Agreements phased out. Right of entry re-established for unions.
NT Intervention continues under Labor Federal Government
Paul Henderson replaces Clare Martin as second Labor Party Chief Minister.
2006
Australian Building and Construction Commission established with strong punitive
powers against workers and unions in relation to unlawful activity in the building and
construction industry.
Howard government implements ‘NT intervention’ in many remote indigenous
communities on basis of ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report which found many children
were at risk as a consequence of poor health and education outcomes, limited school
attendance, alleged sexual abuse, widespread access to pornographic
broadcasts/literature, family neglect, access to poor quality and over pricing of food,
community dysfunction and lack of leadership, overcrowding of homes,
homelessness, lack of policing and general law and order concerns.
2005
Construction Industry Long Service Leave and Benefits Act commenced.
Australian Fair Pay Commission established and setting of wages transferred from
Conciliation and Arbitration Commission to them.
Australian Safety and Compensation Council established. Moves to harmonize
workers’ compensation laws commenced.
Problem in relation to workers’ compensation harmonization is that ACT, NT,
Tasmania
and WA have privately underwritten ‘no-fault’ pension based workers’ compensation
schemes whilst SA, Vic, Qld and NSW have highly government regulated workers’
compensation schemes with limited access to common law damages for injured
workers.
Cole Royal Commission into Building and Construction industry established.
2004
31 December national bans on the import of chrysotile asbestos introduced. Ban on
manufacture of asbestos products in Australia with 13 ‘time based’ exemptions
allowed by NOHSC 9 for RAAF aviation parts, 2 for mining industry manganese
tailings to neutralize asbestos NSW and to allow for products that replace asbestos
to be developed. New asbestos codes of practice introduced.
Comcare coverage expanded to a number of private sector employers with
businesses operating across all/most jurisdictions.
2003
NT WorkSafe established. NT Government funds OHS Officer and Employment
Development Officer positions for Unions NT.
2002
National OHS Strategy adopted by all states and territories. Push to adopting uniform
state and territory OHS laws given momentum.
NT Employment and Training Authority disbanded.
2001
First ever Labor NT Government formed. Clare Martin first Labor Chief Minister.
Labor Consultative Council established
1998
Australian Education Union appeal for illegal lock out of NT Teachers case to Federal
Court. Teachers won case and had over $400,000 damages awarded against NT
Government. NT teachers secure their own separate Enterprise Agreement from
other NT public sector employees.
1996
Establishment of Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission. Awards limited
to between 20-30 conditions.
Work Choices Act introduced by Howard Coalition government limiting powers of the
Commission, entrenching AWAs, limiting unfair dismissal applications and union
powers, and secret ballots for industrial action.
1995
NTTLC purchases property and office at 38 Woods St Darwin
1994
Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993 comes into operation.
NT Trades and Labor Council negotiates funding agreement with the Commonwealth
for the establishment of the NT Working Women’s Centre.
NTTLC wins National Human Rights Award for ‘International Year of the Family’
initiatives around May Day celebrations. First Trade Union in Australia to win such an
Award.
NT TLC registers as a business in NT under The Associations Incorporation Act.
1993
Victorian government introduces legislation to reduce award and union coverage.
NT Anti-Discrimination Act advocated by NTTLC and finally developed by NT
government.
New NT Public Sector Employment and Management Act developed in
working party by NT TLC and Commissioner for Public Employment
Right to strike entrenched in Conciliation and Arbitration Act for first time with
mandatory notice periods for employers and unions. Right to take industrial action
during bargaining periods and for OHS concerns available to workers.
NTTLC Secretary joins Australian delegation to World Confederation of Free Trade
Unions Conference to Moscow.
1992
Enterprise bargaining introduced into Industrial Relations Act. Union amalgamation
process accelerates. ACTU supports the process of reconciliation with Australia’s
indigenous peoples. ACTU wins parental leave test case.
Mabo v Queensland high court decision recognizes a form of native title rights under
Common law and abolishes argument of terra nullius that existed at time of British
colonization of Australia.
ALHMWU uncovers major immigration and wages fraud and human rights abuses at
Heng Yeng and Darwin international Textiles companies in TDZ. NT Government
and
NTTLC (President and Secretary) trade delegation to Schenzen China re skilled
labour
agreements
Establishment of NT Employment and Training Authority with unions playing
prominent role in industry training and development matters.
1991
NT TLC lobbies NTG government which establishes a Women’s Advisory Council.
1990
ACTU drive to reform the Australian Education and Training system.
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) introduced in NSW and Victoria.
‘Strong with the Women’ May Day march and production directed by Robyn
Archer. Centenary of May Day marches in Australia.
1989
Unions embark on Award Restructuring process. Award Restructuring, jobs
benchmarked against Fitters Trade rate for pay. New approach to Job design a
feature
that broke down old arbitrary demarcation issues.
PAYE criterion established for NT workers’ compensation coverage and definition of
worker in NT. Labour Hire and sub-contractor arrangements flourish in building and
construction, small business, agriculture/horticulture industries.
NTTLC, employers and Commonwealth government establish Top End and Central
Australian Group Training companies.
Industry Development Officer, Aboriginal Development, Workplace Change and
Migrant Development Officer positions funded by Commonwealth for NT Trades and
Labor Council.
NTTLC President attends May Day march in Moscow.
1988
ACTU/CAI joint statement on participative practices (industrial democracy)
Conciliation
and Arbitration Act 1904 replaced by Industrial Relations Act 1988. Structural
efficiency principles introduced. NWC awarded 3% payment into occupational
superannuation.
Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC) 3% to 9% employer contribution
established and was phased in over a decade.
Major focus on May Day public holiday events funded by the Arts and Working Life
program of the Australia Council for the Arts. Large May Day celebration organized
by NTTLC, funded by Australia Council for the Arts, produced and directed by Rick
McCracken and with a re-enactment of the protest against Administrator John Gilruth
who was played by then Administrator Commodore Eric Johnstone, Chief Magistrate
Tom Pauling (who became NT Administrator in 2008) and played Lord Vestey with
Palmerston Lord Mayor played by then Darwin Lord Mayor Alec Fong Lim.
Asbestos removed from construction materials for new buildings
NT Unions become active in Industry Training Advisory Councils.
Commonwealth funds Traineeship Officer position for NT Trades and Labor
Council.
NT Public sector Consultative Council re-established by NTG and NTTLC.
NTTLC Travel Service established at Winnellie.
1987
ACTU Congress elected 5 women to the ACTU Executive and funded the first ever
Full Time Secretary position for the Northern Territory. The NT and the ACT Trades
and Labor Councils afforded representation rights to the ACTU Executive on a
shared basis.
Union drive for industry and award restructuring.
First full time NT TLC Secretary position established. 22 unions with approx. 25,000
members across NT. NTTLC’s first ever full time office established at First Floor 64
Smith St Darwin.
NT TLC representation included in many pieces of NT legislation as the organization
representing the interests of workers on many NT Government industry, education,
employment, training and OHS/Workers Compensation advisory bodies to
government.
Heavily unionized NT sectors: Police, Prison Officers, Fire and Rescue, Doctors,
Nurses,
Teachers, Maritime industry, Pilots, Mining, Electrical, Plumbing, Gasfitters, large
retail and fast foods sector, local government industry and Construction (commercial
sector).
Occupational superannuation legislation. Superannuation Guarantee Act introduced.
Many industry super funds established. 2.5 million union members and approx. 180
unions amalgamated to form 20-30 super unions.
NT Public sector ‘conditions of service’ dispute. Public rallies attended by 8000
(Gardens Oval, to 10000 workers (NT Parliament House) Chan Building and Nelson
House during June to August.
National Test Cases for Leave Loading (unions won) and Recreation Airfares
(employers won) run in NT AIRC.
NT Aboriginal Communities Award established with support from Miscellaneous
Workers Union NAWU Branch, Municipal Officers Association and NTTLC.
NTTLC Financial Services office established in Cavenagh St Darwin and in
Nhulunbuy.
NTTLC and public sector unions negotiate the bulk purchase of over 400 public
sector homes for members with discounted legal, conveyancing, bank fees and
purchase of white goods and furniture with TIO, NTTLC Financial services and
unions. Housing purchase scheme duplicated for APS officers
1986
The Accord Mark II.
1985
ACTU reaffirms Accord with the federal government. Queensland Power industry
dispute
leads to draconian anti-union law passed by State parliament. ACTU Congress
expands
to incorporate State public service unions. The ACTU’s test case on adoption leave
was
successful. Mudginberri Meat Industry dispute resolved with AMIEU withdrawn as a
party to the Award covering NT Meat Industry employees by the AIRC
(Commissioner Ian McKenzie)
1984
Job protection case. National Occupational Health and Safety Commission
established.
Trade union membership 3,028,500.
NT elects first ever woman State Trades and Labor Council Secretary Christine
Martins.
Regional Trades and Labor Councils established at Gove, Katherine, Tennant Creek
and Alice Springs.
1983
The Accord-A new era for industrial relations and economic management. Cost of
living adjustments and a centralized system of wage fixation re-introduced.
ACTU Congress elected first woman to the ACTU Executive.
NT Public sector and trade based unions unite to expand NT Trades and Labor
Council beyond traditional trade based unions.
Heated NT ALP Conference establishes a 3 uranium mines policy.
NT Public sector unions’ remote airfares and housing rents campaign results in
significant gains for unions and members.
3 month strike at Nabalco Gove results in $17-$23 per week pay rise.
Meat Industry Employees Union dispute at Mudginberri Station (Jay Pendarvis)
station Manager (near Jabiru) commences, National Farmers Federation seeks to
curb union involvement and introduce new contract employment arrangements for
industry with support of H.R. Nichols Society, S45D and E of the Trade Practices Act
used to prosecute unions supporting the industrial action of NT meat workers.
1981
Wage indexation abandoned. 38 hour week included in Federal Metal industry and
others. Women’s Advisory Unit created by the NSW Labor Council.
1980
Ranger Uranium Mine construction completed. Uranium production commenced
1981. Industrial action including union picket lines established at Frances Bay.
1979
ACTU expands after the merger of the Council of Australian Government Employee
Organization (CAGEO). The right of 12 months unpaid maternity leave achieved.
1977
The first work related childcare centre since World War 2 opened at Rhyde.
1976
Federal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act established
1975
Wage indexation. Trade Union Training Authority established.
1973
4 weeks annual leave established.
1972
The ACTU’s second equal pay case resulted in the principle of equal pay for equal
work being established.
1971
Population 12,755,638, Trade union membership 2,436,600.
1969
The ACTU’s equal pay case paves the way for women to receive equal pay to that of
men performing the same duties by 1975.
1967
A federal referendum yielded a massive ‘yes’ vote for Aboriginal people to gain
Australian citizenship and federal control of Aboriginal affairs. Thereafter, Aboriginals
included in the Australian census and franchised.
1966
August. Gurindji indigenous stockmen walk off Wave Hill station in the NT over more
than just poor wages and working conditions including their disrespectful treatment
by the Vestey’s station and a claim for lands for the Gurindji people. Walk off led by
Vincent Lingiari and Dexter Daniels of the North Australian Workers Union. The
Gurindji protest eventually led to the establishment of Commonwealth Land Rights
(Northern Territory) Act 1976.
Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission handed down the decision
to grant Aborigines on Northern Territory cattle stations equal pay with Europeans
from 1 December 1968.
1965
ACTU filed claims to remove discriminatory clauses in 3 Federal and State Awards
relating to the employment of Aborigines. Pastoral Industry Award, Station Hands
Award and the Cattle Station Industry (NT) Award.
1963
Annual leave of 3 weeks becomes standard. Yirrkala bark petition to federal
parliament re consultation on land rights at Gove.
1957
ACTU restructured their Executive to allow unions from each industry group to elect a
representative member.
1956
Trade union membership 1,690,200.
Establishment of Industrial Relation Commission to 1973.
Boilermaker’s decision established ‘separation of powers’.
1953
Cost of living increases abolished by Australian Commission. Penal powers over
unions gave ‘teeth’ to the Act-allowed heavy fines and gaol sentences to be applied
to unions, officials and members who participated in industrial action.
1950
The female wage rate was lifted to 75% of the male wage rate.
1949
The Coal strike for 35 hour week and Long Service Leave resulted in the use of
troops under the National Emergency (Coal Strike) Act.
1948
Queensland rail strike runs for 9 weeks. Queensland meat dispute- following a
campaign organized by the ACTU. 40 hour week was gained. Prime Minister Chifley
restored penal provisions.
1946
Men replaced women in industry Child care centres were closed. Trade union
membership 1,284,300. Aboriginal workers on stations in the Pilbara; Western
Australian went on strike for better wages and conditions. The strike lasted until
1949.
1945
Total membership of unions affiliated to ACTU reaches 300,000. Two weeks annual
leave introduced.
1941
Annual leave of one week becomes standard. Trade union membership 1,076,600.
1939
As a result of World War 2, women replaced male workers in a wide range of
industries. Work based childcare facilities were provided and most received 90% of
male pay rates.
200 of Cummeragunga (NSW) Reserves 300 Aboriginal residents had packed their
bags and left. The mass desertion was both a spontaneous protest about life on the
reserve and an industrial action to deprive the management of their agricultural
labour.
1938 – 1945
NT under military rule during WW2 and at the end of this period was returned to the
Commonwealth.
1937
The ‘Dog Collar Act’ applied to Waterside Workers who refused to load scrap iron for
shipment to Japan
1931
Trade Union Membership 769,000
1930
The campaign for equal pay and equal work commenced. Women received 54% of
male wage rates.
1927
Australian Council of Trade Unions formed.
1926
Conciliation Commissioners appointed by Conciliation and Arbitration Court. Living
wage cases for all workers occurred. Federal Crimes Act amended to apply to
Unions-‘The Dog Collar Act’ This act was applied to Seamen and Waterside Workers
in 1926 and 1927.
1921
Membership 703,000
1920
44 hour week awarded to Timber workers and Engineers. Others followed suit.
1918
The Australian Workers Union formed by rural worker organizations.
Gilruth refused leave for women bar workers at the Vic hotel to join celebrations for
the end of WW1 and he also refused to let 700 cases of beer be unloaded at the
Darwin Wharf which resulted in 1000 union members and supporters led by unionist
Harold George Nelson to march on the Administrator’s residence to protest around a
dispute with 2 major employers about political representation of citizens, taxation,
unemployment and Gilruth’s autocratic rule. Vestey's and the Commonwealth as
employers allegedly attempted to sell Wave Hill Station and other parts of the NT to
Lord Vestey. The unionists called his resignation and also burned an effigy of the
unpopular Gilruth in a dispute known as the Darwin Rebellion resulted in Gilruth
being escorted for his protection from Darwin on the HMAS Encounter.
1915
Commonwealth nationalized the supply of liquor in the North of Australia. This led to
pub closures and Gilruth ordered the closure of the public bar of the Vic Hotel in
Darwin.
1912
Strike in Brisbane over the Tramways Company refusal to recognize members’ right
to wear union badges.
Darwin Australian Workers Union established. General strike of survey workers
occurred after breakdown of negotiations with NT Administrator Dr John Alexander
Gilruth.
1911
Membership 364,700. Population 4,455,005.
NT indigenous women lose right to vote when SA ceased governing NT. NT
separated from South Australia and was annexed to the Commonwealth. The
minimum basic wage established by Justice Higgins in the Harvester Award.
1910
Andrew Fisher led first majority Labor Government in the world.
1907
Harvester judgment by Justice Higgins ‘living wage’ established and codification of
pay and conditions established in awards for employers who were named in each
dispute.
No powers to establish industry based awards or living wage cases for all workers at
that stage.
1904
Conciliation and Arbitration Act established. Commonwealth Conciliation and
Arbitration Court established and formed only five awards in its first 5 years of
operation
First Labor Government in the world established in Australia. Chris Watson first
Labor Prime Minister of a minority government.
1902
Women in NSW and the Commonwealth receive the franchise.
1901
Federation (of Australian states) established.
Trade union membership 97,200 population 3,774,000. NSW Industrial Arbitration
Act.
1900 – 1930
The preceding activity convinced unionists that legislation establishing Arbitration and
Conciliation Courts was required. During the period to 1904 the Australian Labour
Federation was formed, the first Labor government in the world was elected in
Queensland and the first Federal Labor Government was formed in 1904.
1899
First social democratic (Labor) government in the world elected in Queensland.
1898
Unions formed the ALP as a political movement to represent workers in Australia.
1896
Inter Colonial Trade Union Congress resolved to extend the restrictions on Chinese
immigration to all non-European peoples.
The Australian Labor Party established at Barcaldine Queensland. First Labor Party
in the world.
1894
The Shearers Union strikes again on same issues. The Masters and Servants Act
was used against the union-23 years after England proclaimed the Trade Unions Act.
South Australian and Northern Territory women (first tie in Australia) provided with
the right to vote and to stand for parliament.
1892
Miners strike in Broken Hill over wage cuts and employment of scabs.
1891
The Shearers Union struck over ‘freedom of contract’.
8 hour day won in America and fight to secure 8 hour day commenced in Australia.
12 workers die in Chicago protests over 8 hour day. 3 workers hanged as a result of
those demonstrations.
1890
Employers formed the Employers Union, the Pastoralists Union, the Chamber of
Manufacturers and the Steamship Owners Association.
1886
The Shearers Union was formed
1885
The first Board of Arbitration resolved the dispute in favour of the workers.
1884
The Inter Colonial Trade Union Congress was attended by women delegates.
Women in SA/NT (including indigenous women) enfranchised to vote.
1882
The Victorian Tailoresses Union was formed as was the Waterside Workers
Federation.
The Waterside Workers Federation organized and struck on pay and hours.
Northern Territorians gain right to vote when annexed to South Australia.
1881
The NSW Trade Union Act passed giving union rights and registration.
1879
The Inter Colonial Trade Union Congress-the forerunner of the ACTU was formed.
Congress unanimously opposed Chinese immigration.
1878
The Seamans Union organized the Maritime Strike against the use of cheap Chinese
Labour by the Australian United Steam Navigation Company.
1873
The Amalgamated Miners Association was formed.
The first Seamans Unions were formed in Sydney and Melbourne.
1870
The Sydney Trades and Labor Council was formed.
1869
Men of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station (Victoria) were demanding wage payments
for their labour and official tenure of the station.
1856
The 8 hour day movement was formed by the Stonemasons in Melbourne and
Sydney.
Melbourne Trades Hall Committee helped unions to cooperate with each other
1854
The Eureka Stockade resulted in the deaths of 10 Irish, 2 Scots, 2 Canadians, 2
English 2 Germans and 1 Australian.
1850
Stonemasons union formed
1850 – 1900
This period saw the early development of Australian trade unions. Legislation had
existed in Britain that outlawed unions, similar in intent to the Masters and Servants
Act, until the passing of the Trade Unions Act in 1871. The English and Irish antiunion legislation was not particularly successful in those countries, nor did it prevent
union activity in Australia. Transportation ended in eastern states in 1853, in Western
Australia in 1868. Various craft unions were formed. Gold was discovered in Bathurst
in 1851.
1848
Political activity of the working class leads to the formation of the Anti-Transportation
League.
1844
The Early Closing movement seeks the reduction of 14 hours to 12 hours per day.
1843
Economic depression leads to the formation of the Mutual Protection Society to
protect the interests of the middle and working classes of NSW
1840
Society of compositors campaign to restrict the number of apprentices. The
government uses convict compositors as strike breakers.
1838
Society of compositors strike and increase wages by 5 Shillings and 5 pence per
week.
1833
Cabinetmakers union was formed.
1831
Boatbuilders union formed.
1830
Shipwrights union formed
1829
Typographers, supported by carpenters successfully strike for payment in sterling
against currency reform which threatened the value of wages.
1828
Masters and Servants Act of NSW provided that ‘servants could be imprisoned and
have their wages forfeited for refusal to work or for the destruction of property and
that Masters found guilty of ill-usage should be liable to pay damages of up to 6
months wages.
1822
James Straighter, a convict shepherd sentenced to 500 lashes, one month solitary
confinement on bread and water and five years penal servitude forL’inciting his
Master’s servants to combine for the purposes of obliging him to raise their wages
and increase their rations’.
1804
Castle Hill rebellion: protest on conditions and rations. William Johnston hanged.
1800’s
Craft based unions established in Europe.
1791
Convicts strike: demanding daily not weekly issue of rations.
1788 – 1849
This period saw the settlement of New South Wales as an English penal colony after
the landing of Captain Phillip on 26 January 1788. The majority of ‘First Fleeters’-the
convicts-certainly deserve to be called workers and their struggles- a lead up to
unionism in Australia.