Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1905 - 1973 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
93 volumes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Australian Workers' Union, registered federally in 1905, initially sought to serve unskilled rural workers such as shearers and general labourers and eventually grew to be politically influential within the Australian Labor Party. Increasing in size as members from deregistered unions such as the South Australian United Laborers' Union and the Australian Carriers' Union were absorbed into the fold, the AWU postured itself as the 'One Big Union' of Australian trade unionism. In 1976 the union was reregistered following an amalgamation with the Wool and Basil Workers' Federation of Australia. The Union was again reregistered in 1988 when it merged with the Undertakers' Assistants and Cemetery Employees' Union. A final amalgamation in 1993 with Federation of Industrial Manufacturing and Engineering Employees brought about the AWU-FIME Amalgamated Union but it continues to be known as the Australian Workers' Union.
Repository
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Sydney. Australian Workers' Union. Until Sep 1892 was titled Hummer, then Worker until Nov 1913. From July 2, 1894 for three weeks during the elections, known as The daily worker. From 1892-1893, half of the paper was published in Brisbane, half in Wagga. From July 1893, published in Sydney. Publication suspended Feb - Aug 1897. 1974 onwards see S997
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open access