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Dictionary of Sydney

The Dictionary of Sydney
Subjects
Economy
Labour
Trade unions

The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.

Trade unions

Subject

Coal lumpers

The Wharfies' Film Unit

Transcript: Mr Norman Woodward recalls working conditions as a spinner during the Depression

Australian Worker

Direct Action

Labor Daily

Not Only The Need 1957

Rocking the Foundations

Trades Hall

1890s strikes

Great Strike 1917

Royal Commission on Strikes 1890

Australian Council of Trade Unions

Australian Writers and Artists Union

Brookvale Union Brewery

Builders Labourers Federation

Building Workers Industrial Union

Chinese Seamen's Union

Early Closing Association

Electrical Trades Union

Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association

Funeral and Allied Industries Union

Gang 364

Labor Council of New South Wales

Maritime Union of Australia

New South Wales Plumbers Union

New South Wales Teachers Federation

Public Service Association of NSW

Seamen's Union of Australia

Shop Assistants' Union

Sydney Coal Lumpers' Union

Sydney Latvian Workers' Association

Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union

Waterside Workers Federation

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit

Women's Committee of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation

Brereton, Laurence John (Laurie)

Chang, Arthur Gar Lock

Chifley, Ben

Clyne, Daniel

Cook, Kevin

Dwyer, Catherine Winifred (Kate)

Elliott, Eliot V

Gallagher, Norm

George, Jennie

Herbert, George

Houghton, Thomas John

Hughes, William Morris (Billy)

Hutchinson, Alfred

Jong, Ngock Bew (William Jong)

Kavanagh, Edward John

Keegan, Thomas

Lambert, William Henry

Mann, Tom

McKillop, Ramsey

Mundey, Jack

Mutch, Thomas

Newman, John

Nielsen, Niels Rasmus Wilson

O'Dea, Ernest Charles

Owens, Joe

Pringle, Bob

Roylance, William

Unsworth, Barrie

Watson, Chris

Wong, Fred

Chinese Seamen's union meeting 1944

Conference of Teachers' Federation, Phillip Street 1948

Eight Hour Procession along Macquarie Street 3 October 1887

Jack Mundey 1972

Jack Mundey 1976

Jack Mundey, Builders Labourers Federation, 1973

Jack Mundey, candidate for Canterbury in the NSW State elections, speaking in Campsie shopping centre on a Saturday morning 17 February 1968

Protesters against demolitions at the Rocks 23 October 1973

Ray Brown and the Whispers performing at a union picnic c1965

Sydney Trades Hall c1888

Sydney wharfies demonstrate in support of Aboriginal rights at May Day procession c1960s

The 'Your Rights at Work' campaign's 'Rockin for Rights' protest march on Oxford Street 22 April 2007

Trades and Industrial Hall and Literary Institute Association of Sydney illuminated address presented to Thomas Bavister 1906

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit logo 1950s

Mr Norman Woodward recalls working conditions at the Challenge Woollen Mills during the Depression, interviewed in 1986

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Trade unions

Coal lumpers

Coal lumpers were crucial to coal-powered shipping, hauling giant quantities of fuel from ship to ship in appalling conditions. With the disappearance of steam power, a whole occupation, with its own skills, lore and traditions as well as hazards and dangers, faded into history.

The Wharfies' Film Unit

In the 1950s, workers rights extended beyond wages and conditions to include cultural events and creative activities. The Waterside Workers' Federation Film Unit set about documenting the lives of workers and their families, their communities and organisations. From 1953–58, they made 19 films tackling subjects that the government film unit and newsreel producers would never touch: housing shortages, price control, the cost of living for ordinary Australians and reasons behind industrial disputes.

Transcript: Mr Norman Woodward recalls working conditions as a spinner during the Depression

Mr Norman Woodward was born in 1918 and interviewed in 1986 for the 'Looking Back at Liverpool: An Oral History of the Liverpool Region 1900 to 1960.' He went to work at the Challenge Woollen Mills in Liverpool during the Depression in 1932.

Australian Worker

Official journal of the Australian Worker's Union. The Sydney and Brisbane papers were merged in 1974 and it is now is published in a magazine format.

full record »

Direct Action

Monthly organ of the Australian administration of the Industrial Workers of the World.

full record »

Labor Daily

Newspaper for the Labor movement published in the 1920s and 1930s.

full record »

Not Only The Need 1957

Film made by the Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit for the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 1957 which proposed a Commonwealth solution to the housing problems facing families living in inner-city slums.

full record »

Rocking the Foundations

Documentary film about the history of the New South Wales Builders Labourers Federation.

full record »

Trades Hall

full record »

Established by the developing trade union movement in 1888 and now owned by Unions NSW representing over 60 unions covering all fields of work.

1890s strikes

full record »

Series of national strikes, beginning in August 1890 with the maritime unions and supported by coal miners, transport and agricultural workers, and followed by a shearers' strike in 1891. The strikes were both defeated, after military and police intervention, and large pay cuts ensued. The defeat led to the entry of the Labor Party into parliamentary politics.

Great Strike 1917

Mass strike, mainly in NSW and Victoria, and mainly involving railway and waterside workers, that began on August 2 1917 at Eveleigh Railway Workshops and Randwick Tramsheds. Originated in efforts by the railways to improve productivity through time and motion studies.The unions eventually capitulated.

full record »

Royal Commission on Strikes 1890

The economic depression of 1890 saw employers attempt to reduce wages and re-organise production which resulted in a wave of strikes across transport, mining and pastoral sectors. The Royal Commission was established to investigate and negate the influence of trade unions which were not legally recognised until after the Commission.

full record »

Australian Council of Trade Unions

Organisation of trade unions formed in 1927 in Melbourne to improve workers' rights and conditions on a national basis.

full record »

Australian Writers and Artists Union

Trade union established in 1910.

full record »

Brookvale Union Brewery

Trade union-backed brewery that produced union pilsener and honey stout for sale to trade union clubs, but was unable to compete with market domination of Toohey's and Tooth's.

full record »

Builders Labourers Federation

Union formed to improve safety, working conditions and wages for the least skilled building workers. During the 1970s the BLF placed 'Green Bans' on socially undesirable demolition or development, and without builders' labourers the work could not proceed.

full record »

Building Workers Industrial Union

Union that grew out of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and aimed to improve conditions and wages for skilled building workers.

full record »

Chinese Seamen's Union

Trade union representing seamen of Chinese nationality with branches in the major ports at which Chinese ships called.

full record »

Early Closing Association

Association first established in Brisbane by a group of draper's assistants to discuss the hours worked by shop assistants. The New South Wales branch was active in 1898 and 1899 in proposing a draft Early Closing Act to limit hours to four days closing at 6pm, one day at 10pm and one day at 1pm.

full record »

Electrical Trades Union

Trade union for electrical workers to ensure fair wages, working conditions and job security.

full record »

Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen's Association

Union concentrated in mines, factories and power plants which amalgamated with the Construction Forestry and Mining Employees Union to form Construction Forestry Mining & Energy Union in 1992.

full record »

Funeral and Allied Industries Union

Trade union representing funeral industry workers.

full record »

Gang 364

Group of waterside workers considered cultural activists within the union. They comprised actors, musicians and artists, many of whom had returned from World War I and been unable to find work in their chosen field.

full record »

Labor Council of New South Wales

Peak body for trade unions in New South Wales whose membership comprises over 67 affiliated unions and regional Trades and Labor Councils.

full record »

Maritime Union of Australia

National union for maritime workers formed by the merging of several maritime unions to increase its power and influence.

full record »

New South Wales Plumbers Union

Trade union for plumbers.

full record »

New South Wales Teachers Federation

Trade union representing school teachers in New South Wales.

full record »

Public Service Association of NSW

Trade union established in 1899 and registered in 1915 to campaign for equal pay, superannuation and better working conditions within the public service.

full record »

Seamen's Union of Australia

Trade union for merchant seamen formed in Sydney and Melbourne in 1874 which took the name Seamen's Union of Australia in 1906. In 1993 it amalgamated with the Waterside Workers' Federation to form the Maritime Union of Australia.

full record »

Shop Assistants' Union

Association of shop assistants which grew out of the campaign for reduced working hours in 1888-89.

full record »

Sydney Coal Lumpers' Union

Trade union formed to represent the workers who undertook the dangerous and back breaking work of loading coal onto ships.

full record »

Sydney Latvian Workers' Association

Leftist organisation established to promote self education and the rights of workers.

full record »

Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union

Founded in 1872, it was to become the Waterside Workers Federation in 1902 which then merged with the Seamen's Union of Australia to form the Maritime Unions of Australia in 1993.

full record »

Waterside Workers Federation

Trade union established in 1902 to representing wharf labourers. It became part of the Maritime Union of Australia in 1993 when it amalgamated with the Seamen's Union of Australia.

full record »

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit

full record »

Film unit formed by the Waterside Workers Federation to document the lives of workers and their families and issues of workers' rights that could be used as political and educational tools.

Women's Committee of the Sydney Branch of the Waterside Workers' Federation

Committee established to assist in the national waterfront strikes during the 1950s and 1960s. It mostly made up of wives of the striking wharf workers and performed volunteer help for their communities.

full record »

Brereton, Laurence John (Laurie)

Electrician and trade union official who joined the parliament in 1970.

full record »

Chang, Arthur Gar Lock

Member of the Chinese Youth League in Sydney from the 1940s and organiser for the Chinese Seamen's Union.

full record »

Chifley, Ben

Engine driver and unionist who was Labor Prime Minister from 1945 to 1949.

full record »

Clyne, Daniel

Railway worker who became a union official and parliamentarian, and speaker of the Legislative Assembly during the 1940s.

full record »

Cook, Kevin

Union organiser and campaigner for Aboriginal causes, who was first Aboriginal director of Tranby College.

full record »

Dwyer, Catherine Winifred (Kate)

Women's suffragist and anti-conscriptionist who devoted much of her live to the labour movement.

full record »

Elliott, Eliot V

Merchant seaman and militant trade unionist who emphasised the importance of unity, solidarity and internationalism amongst maritime workers.

full record »

Gallagher, Norm

Trade unionist who as federal secretary of the BLF, intervened in the NSW branch in a highly controversial takeover.

full record »

George, Jennie

Trade unionist and politician who became the first women to hold the position of President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1996 to 2000.

full record »

Herbert, George

Secretary of the Sydney Coal Lumpers' Union.

full record »

Houghton, Thomas John

Printer and publisher who became involved in the Trades and Labour Council and was a founder of the Labor Party. He took an active part in the federation campaign and entered state politics in 1891.

full record »

Hughes, William Morris (Billy)

full record »

Unionist and politician who became Labor Prime Minister during World War I and was expelled for his support for conscription. He served in a number of non-Labor federal governments, remaining in parliament until his death.

Hutchinson, Alfred

Coal lumper who fought for better wages and conditions for union members for over 25 years.

full record »

Jong, Ngock Bew (William Jong)

Trade unionist who political activities saw him discriminated against be Australian authorities for many years by having one-year renewals of his papers.

full record »

Kavanagh, Edward John

Politician and trade unionist who took a leading role in the Great Strike of 1917. A great believer in arbitration, he was the made deputy industrial commissioner under the Lang government, the first lay person to hold the office.

full record »

Keegan, Thomas

Miner represented the labour movement at state level for 25 years.

full record »

Lambert, William Henry

Former shearer and union official, William Lambert engaged in politics on many levels. He was a Member of the House of Representatives 1921-28 and was Lord Mayor of Sydney in 1921.

full record »

Mann, Tom

Socialist labour organiser who toured widely, speaking to workers around Australia and the world.

full record »

McKillop, Ramsey

Member of the Wharf Labourers Union.

full record »

Mundey, Jack

full record »

Trade unionist who led the Builders Labourers Federation through the Green Ban period and became one of Sydney's foremost urban environmentalists.

Mutch, Thomas

Labor politician whose ministerial achievements in education were obscured by the bitter faction fighting of the 1920s.

full record »

Newman, John

Union organiser and Labor Party politician whose murder by a rival was the first political assassination in Australia.

full record »

Nielsen, Niels Rasmus Wilson

Politician and trade unionist who grew up in Young and worked as a carpenter before joining the Amalgamated Shearers' Union of Australasia in 1887 and eventually entering politics with the newly formed Labor Party.

full record »

O'Dea, Ernest Charles

Trade union organiser Ernest O'Dea served as Lord Mayor of Sydney 1949-52

full record »

Owens, Joe

Trade unionist who was important in the Builders Labourers Federation campaign to save Sydney's historic buildings and green space through Green Bans.

full record »

Pringle, Bob

Builders labourer who was a Communist and president of the New South Wales branch of the Builders Labourers Federation.

full record »

Roylance, William

Trade unionist who was an official of the New South Wales Labor Council and secretary to the 1879 Intercolonial Trades Unions Congress.

full record »

Unsworth, Barrie

Electrician and union organiser who was Premier from July 1986 to March 1988.

full record »

Watson, Chris

A founder of the Australian Labor Party and Australia's first Labor Prime Minister in 1904, he was born in Chile of New Zealand parents.

full record »

Wong, Fred

Chinese trade unionist who supported the boycotts of Japan in the 1930s and 1940s.

full record »

Chinese Seamen's union meeting 1944

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

Conference of Teachers' Federation, Phillip Street 1948

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[hood_22353 / Home and Away 22353]

Eight Hour Procession along Macquarie Street 3 October 1887

full record »

By

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[ PXA 393 / c07970_0043_c]

(Mitchell Library)

Jack Mundey 1972

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[ON 161/Item 724]

(Mitchell Library, and Courtesy SEARCH Foundation)

Jack Mundey 1976

full record »

By

Contributed By

National Library of Australia

[nla.pic-vn4103360]

Jack Mundey, Builders Labourers Federation, 1973

full record »

By

©

Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Jack Mundey, candidate for Canterbury in the NSW State elections, speaking in Campsie shopping centre on a Saturday morning 17 February ...

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[ON 161/Item 293]

(Mitchell Library and Courtesy Tribune / SEARCH Foundation)

Protesters against demolitions at the Rocks 23 October 1973

full record »

Contributed By

City of Sydney Archives

[044\044848]

(SRC14791. Originally CRS 543/111/78 (NSCA CRS 543, Negatives of Photographs from [CRS 69], George Clarke Papers, 1960-1979))

Ray Brown and the Whispers performing at a union picnic c1965

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[ ON 161/Item 022]

(Mitchell Library, Courtesy SEARCH Foundation)

Sydney Trades Hall c1888

full record »

Contributed By

National Archives of Australia

[A6135, K1/4/77/8]

Sydney wharfies demonstrate in support of Aboriginal rights at May Day procession c1960s

full record »

Contributed By

Noel Butlin Archives Centre, Australian National University Archives

(Waterside Workers Federation records)

The 'Your Rights at Work' campaign's 'Rockin for Rights' protest march on Oxford Street 22 April 2007

full record »

By

Australian Services Union NSW & ACT

Contributed By

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/asu_nsw/479389984/]

Trades and Industrial Hall and Literary Institute Association of Sydney illuminated address presented to Thomas Bavister 1906

full record »

From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[a128534 / V*/Ill Add/3]

(Mitchell Library)

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit logo 1950s

full record »

By

Waterside Workers Federation Film Unit

Contributed By

Private collection

(Logo from the credits of 'The Hungry Miles' a documentary made by the Waterside Workersâ€™ Federation Film Unit in the 1950s)

Mr Norman Woodward recalls working conditions at the Challenge Woollen Mills during the Depression, interviewed in 1986

full record »

Mr Norman Woodward was born in 1918 and interviewed in 1986 for the 'Looking Back at Liverpool: An Oral History of the Liverpool Region 1900 to 1960.' He went to work at the Challenge Woollen Mills in Liverpool during the Depression in 1932.
Transcript

INTERVIEWER: What were the conditions like working there?

NORMAN: Atrocious. There was no locker rooms, there was no showers, no lunch rooms, and the only place you hung your coat, you banged a nail into the wall at the end of your machine and you'd hang your hat and coat there. No place to wash when you finished work; and lunch time, well you just sat down at the end of the machine and ate your lunch because there was no dining rooms. There was unions then but the Textile Workers' Union was known in those days as the weakest union in Australia. It had to be weak then because there was no work and you did what the boss told you. If you didn't you're kicked out and there was two hundred waiting at the gate to get your job. So you just had to take it.

INTERVIEWER: And what did you do there?

NORMAN: I was a spinner, worked on machines spinning yarn, woollen yarn.

Contributed By

Liverpool City Library

(Excerpt from interview with Mr Norman Woodward, from the 'Looking back at Liverpool : an oral history of the Liverpool region 1900-1960' conducted in 1986 by Liverpool City Council, editor and project co-ordinator Catherine Johnson ; researchers Angela Imbrosciano, Verica Miiosavijevic, Kathleen Smith)

Labour