Introduction
Learn about the history of Australian workers’ rights, strikes and campaigns from resources at the Australian Trade Union Institute ATUI Resource Library. Below is a collection of some of their resources many of which include videos.Resources
Strikes and Protests
- The 1891 Shearers’ Strike A Sheep Shearer’s strike began in Queensland in 1891 when employers sought to introduce union-busting contracts and a reduction in pay rates.
- 21 April 1856 – Melbourne Stonemason’s take action for the 8-Hour Day On 21 April in 1856, building workers in Melbourne took strike action and won the eight-hour day as a general industry standard.
- 1936 Maritime Strike by Torres Strait Islander Workers Learn about the maritime strike in the Torres Strait Islands in 1936 where workers in the pearl fishing industry took a stand against racism.
- “Pig Iron Bob” and the 1938 Port Kembla strike The 1938 Dalfram dispute involved dock workers at Port Kembla in Australia striking & refusing to load iron on a ship bound for Japan in 1938.
- Remembering the Pilbara Strike, 1946-1949 On 1 May 1946, Aboriginal pastoral workers in the Pilbara walked off the stations. The strike that began on that day lasted for three years. The Pilbara Strike was a heroic and inspiring collective action by Aboriginal workers. This is the story of three years of determined struggle by Aboriginal workers against racism and for respect and self-determination.
- The 1957 Palm Island Strike Learn about the leaders of a strike in 1957 by Aboriginal people on Palm Island demanding to be treated with dignity, respect & equality.
- The Gurindji Strike, 1966 Learn about the Wave Hill walk off and strike in 1966 by the Gurindji people who fought for award wages, land rights and self-determination.
- Zelda D’Aprano’s Equal Pay Protest (1969) On 21 October 1969, legendary union activist Zelda D’Aprano chained herself to the doors of the Commonwealth Building to protest for Equal Pay! This is her remarkable story.
- Noonkanbah Protest (1979 – 1980) An inspiring example of collective action by Aboriginal workers and their allies against powerful corporate interests who wanted to trample their rights for profit.
- The 1979 strike of the Union of Christmas Island Workers In 1979 the Union of Christmas Island Workers (UCIW), made up predominantly of migrant workers labouring in colonial conditions, took on the Australian government and the island’s mining giant and won.
- War on the Water Front: Australian Waterfront Dispute 1998 [Videos – Short History & Documentary] Documentary about the Australian waterfront dispute of 1998 – a watershed event in Australian industrial relations history.
Campaigns
- The 1916 Campaign against Conscription Learn about the union-led campaign against conscription in World World War One as told by the Australian Trade Union Institute.
- How Unions helped build Superannuation Unions have a long history of campaigning for superannuation.There were union campaigns for retirement schemes as far back as the 1920s.
- How Unions Won the Right to Annual Leave A short history of how unions in Australia campaigned over the decades for the right to annual leave.
- 1963: The ACTU backs the campaign for wage equality for First Nations workers About the different union campaigns for wage equality for First Nations workers in Australia in the 1960s.
- Australian Unions win Maternity Leave – 1979 Learn about the history of maternity leave in Australia in the 1970s and the role of the Australian unions.
- The Metal Workers win the 38-hour week (1981) On 8 December 1981, unionists in the metal industry voted to end a long industrial campaign, and won the 38-hour week.
- How Unions helped build Medicare (1984) The history of how unions helped create Medicare, the national public health system in Australia, introduced in 1984.
- The Campaign for Asbestos Justice and Workers’ Compensation (2007) Read about and be inspired by the campaign by workers including Bernie Banton and their unions for justice for asbestos victims.
Trade Unionists and Activists
- Remembering William Cooper William Cooper was a legendary Aboriginal leader and activist whose legacy still resonates today. Mr Cooper was also a proud trade unionist.
- Brian Manning: A Life in the Struggle On 3 November 2013, the legendary unionist Brian Manning passed away after a lifetime in the struggle. The union movement is proud to remember him and his extraordinary contribution to the cause of social justice.
- Emma Miller: Remembering a Union Hero Learn more about legendary union activist, leader and organiser Emma Miller, who was born on the 26th of June 1839.
- Laurie Carmichael – A Legendary Unionist Read about Laurie Carmichael, a unionist in Australia who had a lifelong dedication to solidarity and the working class.
- Remembering Edna Ryan: Champion of Equality Remembering Edna Ryan, a woman who left an extraordinary legacy of activism against sexism and for gender equity.
- Stories of Hope & Change: Muriel Heagney This is the story of Muriel Heagney, an extraordinary unionist who led a 60-year long campaign for equal pay for working women.
- Tribute to Tom McDonald: A Lifetime Winning for Workers Tribute to Tom McDonald, a union activist, organiser & leader, dedicated to empowering workers to take action to win improvements in their lives at work.
Visit the ATUI Resource Library
About the Author
The Australian Trade Union Institute (ATUI) is a centre for providing education, collaboration and research for Australian unions by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).Explore Further
- Australian Aboriginal workers strike for fair wages and equality, 1946-1949
- Lessons that can be learnt from dockworkers who helped bring apartheid to its knees
- How Workers Defeated Anti-Strike Laws in the 1970s
- Jim Munro and the Unemployed Workers Movement in the 1920s and 1930s
- The 1972 Sydney Opera House Work-In
- The Nymboida Coal Mine Takeover, NSW, 1975–1979
- Stick Together Podcast: Union News, Workers’ Stories and Social Justice Issues
- Organising! A Remedy for Despair: How Workers at the University of Melbourne Won Back $45 million in Stolen Wages
- From Little Things Big Things Grow: Events That Changed Australia
- More History Resources in the Commons Library