The union was formed in 1915 and registered in 1916 originally bringing together three State unions: the Passenger and Goods Lift Attendants' Union of New South Wales (1909), the Watchmen, Caretakers and Cleaners' Union of New South Wales (1910), and the Watchmen, Caretakers and Male Office Cleaners' Union of Victoria (1913). It amalgamated with over 50 unions in its long history including unions representing billiard markers, undertakers' assistants, hairdressers, watchmakers, dental technicians, photographic employees, ambulance employees, and sailmakers. Its final amalgamation was with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form the Australian Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union in 1992.

The Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union was formed in 1992 as an amalgamation of the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia and the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia. Further amalgamations were with the Pastrycooks, Bakers, Biscuitmakers and Allied Trades Union in 1993, the Ambulance Employees' Association of Victoria in 1994 and the Bakery Employees and Salesmen's Federation of Australia in 1995. It was also known as the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union or LHMU. It was renamed United Voice on 1 March 2011.

On 11 November 2019 the National Union of Workers and United Voice merged to create the United Workers Union.