rise of unionism Flashcards
why was AUS called the ‘paradise for the working man’
it was called this by foreigners who noticed that following the gold rushes in 1860-1890, AUS had the highest per capita incomes in the world and cities were comprised not only of wealthy merchants and pastoralists (sheep/cattle farmers) as tradesmen and average working people were situated there as well but despite this inconsistent fluctuations in the economic conditions of colonies prevented everyone from sharing that prosperity (like in seasonal work)
the emergence of poverty/economic inequality prior to FEDERATION:
Poverty began to grow through the emergence of slums around Melbourne+Sydney where many people lived in cramped and unsanitary conditions. Especially In VIC, which was supported by protectionist policies that taxed imported goods to support the growth of local businesses, was where manufacturing greatly grew in this period as in 1860 approx 34% of the workforce was in manufacturing and by the end of the century this increased to approx 48% however this industry was also where the poorest working conditions were experienced.
Many working conditions were still dangerous, with few safety measures taken, illnesses that were specific to certain industries were also increasing
what were the economic inequalities targeted at women?
Despite the 1st Factory Act in AUS being passed by the VIC Parliament in 1873 (limiting the working hours of women to 48 hours a week) working women usually suffered even worse conditions as their pay was far worse than for men, they were exploited by the practice of ‘sweating’, women were often forced to work at home as they usually had other responsibilities there, they would also often despite the act be forced to work long hours and they were powerless to these situations
what’s sweating?
this practice involved a person who was an agent acting between a clothing or textiles factory and a woman working at her home, this agent would offer discounted clothes to the factory and in turn pay the woman worker only a small proportion of that rate
what were the economic inequalities targeted at indigenous workers?
Aboriginal workers were confined to missions and reserves under Aboriginal acts in the various Australian colonies provided labour to maintain the farms, gardens and machine shops on reserves without any pay at all. The minority working off reserves received some payment, but much of it was still controlled by authorities, even by 1900
what’s an example of the gender pay gap prior to federation?
in the 1880s tailoresses were paid 2 shillings to make a coat while a man could expect 14 shillings for the same work (this gap was mainly caused by women not being expected to support any dependents/their families/ themselves financially)
when did unions experience major development?
during the 1880s as unions grew in size + power as they aspired to obtain better working/living conditions for the working class and end the exploitation of workers by employers, AUS in particular liked the power of an organised movement and in AUS the rate of union membership was “the highest in the world by the early 1890s” (Pratt et al.)
Historian Ross McMullin view on the growth of unions in AUS?
argued that the growth of unions during this period was owed to a combination of both economic conditions and the hard work of union leaders such as William Guthrie Spence
what was this period of economic depression in AUS?
the 1890s was marked by a growing economic crisis as the collapse of foreign investment in the AUS colonies + declining export earnings + an end to the building boom along with bank crashes caused an economic depression (also droughts)
statistic about unemployment in AUS
Between 1891 and 1895 the economy shrank by 30% (Pratt et al) as unemployment hit 30% of skilled labour by 1893 and may have been higher among unskilled labourers but statistics were not kept for this demographic and government spending on public works and services was cut by 40% (Pratt et al)
what strikes were occurring during this economic crisis?
a number of widespread and significant strikes across the eastern colonies between 1890 and 1894, examples of notable events include the 1890 maritime strike (which involved the most people), the shearers’ strikes of 1891 and 1894 and the Broken Hill miners’ strike of 1892
what was the Maritime Strike of 1890?
In 1890, negotiations between marine officers and their employers over pay and conditions ended hence the Mercantile Marine Officers’ Association directed its members to go on strike, the event acted as an example of resistance against those who hold authority in this current political structure
what was the CONSEQUENCE of the Maritime strike?
consequence of the Maritime strike of 1890 was that coal supplies became limited + gas, lighting of streets were affected and this long period without work meant that many men and their families were poor and starving.
what was the issue surrounding the employment of non-union labour?
During the strike there were also great tensions about the employment of non-union labour but employers refused to negotiate and continued to recruit them (‘scabs’) who were protected by the police force + armed troops and ferment was further amplified by governments appearing to favour employers by protective non-union members which encouraged hostility between the classes which were ‘capital and labour’
what is the cause of the Shearers’ Strike in 1891?
a violent confrontation occurred between Queensland shearers and their employers, after employers rejected agreements made in the previous year by cutting wages, introducing ‘coloured labour’, ending the 8 hour day and closed shop agreements
what was the resistance of the shearers?
sheares went on strike by forming armed camps however soldiers were again sent to protect non-union labourers hence many shed were raided by unionists + set alight
what was the OUTCOME of the 1891 Shearer’s Strike?
strike lasted between January and June of 1891 until hungry and poor unionists could no longer continue protesting and the event acted as a victory for employers who had successfully resisted the demands of the unions with the help of police, troops and the courts, and the strikers were also sent to jail
CONSEQUENCES of the 1890s great strikes?
By the mid-1890s, workers began to perceive themselves as vulnerable to employers, betrayed by governments and as victims of the fight. One impact was a great decline in union membership, diminishing their bargaining power. A 2nd outcome was confirmation of the belief by many in the labour movement that political representation was needed in order to advance their rights. consequently the labour movement developed a more favourable disposition towards state-led arbitration between employers and employees which were supported by middle-class liberals who were fearful of class conflict (ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION ACT)
how were labour parties formed?
the trade unions of NSW formed a Labor Electoral League that was immediately met with great success as it won 35 of the 141 seats in the lower house so it helps the balance of power, entry of the labour representatives in Parliament was paved by the decision to pay parliamentary members but the Labor Party was slower to be successful in VIC, given the colony’s existing tendency towards protectionist policies which favoured workers’ pay + conditions however it grew quicker in NSW + QLD. once Australia federated, the various colonial labour factions organised as the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and it was only with their support that Edmund Barton’s Protectionist Party was able to form government and the party also grew quickly in the new Commonwealth as people were concerned with the improvement of workers’ wages/ conditions and restriction of cheap + foreign labour
fact about decline in unionism
Historian Stuart Macintyre estimates that the rates of union membership fell from 1 in 5 wage earners in 1890 (perhaps the highest rate of union membership in the world at the time) to scarcely 1 in 20 by 1896.
where did the Labour Party first form government?
the Labor Party first formed government (across the world) in QLD briefly in 1899 however the government only lasted 1 week while the conservative forces re-grouped and formed a new majority
what were the 3 prominent parties in early AUS politics?
Throughout colonial parliaments before Federation, 3 parties battled for political majorities, these were the Free Traders, Protectionists and Labor.
achievements/aspirations of the Labor Party?
abour parties were able to contribute to democratic reforms like the abolition of plural voting and property requirements acting as a prerequisite to voting and entering the Parliament, and reforms had been introduced to eliminate the practice of sweating and to regulate the factories
was there backlash of the Labor Party?
not all unionists supported the Labor Party as some believed that political candidates had forsaken the working class in their own individual pursuit of power
