

The Australian workers the union movement left behind
May 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Liam Byrne, author of ‘No Power Greater - A History of Union Action in Australia,’ dives into the overlooked narratives of marginalized groups in the Australian union movement. He sheds light on the struggles of Indigenous workers, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals who often had to fend for themselves before gaining union support. Listeners will discover the historical significance of grassroots campaigns, the fight against systemic racism, and the quest for gender equality within labor rights.
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Colonial Origins Shape Unions
- Australian unions originated within a British imperial colonial context favoring skilled white men.
- Their solidarity had racial limits shaped by prevailing societal ideologies and exclusions.
Chinese Cabinetmakers' Bold Strike
- Chinese Cabinetmakers Union formed amidst racial exclusion and stereotypes in 1880s Melbourne.
- They organized strikes demanding better wages and hours, successfully asserting their rights against discrimination.
Pilbara Aboriginal Strike Success
- In 1946, 800 Aboriginal workers in the Pilbara staged a long strike for equal wages and conditions.
- Supported by the Seamen’s Union, the strike succeeded in forcing concessions from some employers.