Identity area
Reference code
AU NBAC N430
Title
Date(s)
- c. 1925 - 2016 (Creation)
Level of description
Deposit
Extent and medium
112 boxes (various sizes) + 15 albums + 1 map drawer of posters
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Constuction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is the result of a series of amalgamations during the early 1990s. Prior to amalgamation there were numerous unions spread across construction, forestry, mining and energy industries. Those unions amalgamated along industry lines to form each of the divisions of the CFMEU. Each division operates autonomously, with its own membership, executive, resources, industry policies and campaigns. These divisions date as far back as the mid-nineteenth century and include such notable unions as the Australasian Coal and Shale Employees' Federation (the Miners' Federation), the Building Workers' Industrial Union of Australia, the Australian Timber Workers' Union, the Federated Furnishing Trade Society of Australasia, the Operative Plasterers' Federation of Australia, the Operative Painters' and Decorators' Union of Australia, and the Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australasia.
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Federated House and Ship Painters, Paperhangers and Decorators Employees' Association of Australasia became the Operative Painters and Decorators of Australasia in 1915. In 1918 it changed its name to the Operative Painters' and Decorators' Union of Australia. Seventy-five years later, the union amalgamated to form the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union in 1993.
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Building Workers' Industrial Union of Australia formed from the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners of Australia in 1945 but was deregistered in 1948. An anti-communist faction of the union established a new Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners in 1950 which eventually became part of the Australian Workers' Union. The Building Workers' Industrial Union formally reconstituted in 1962. Members of the Federated Bricklayers' Association of Australia (deregistered 1950) and the Slaters Tilers Shinglers and Roof Fixers Union of Australia (deregistered 1976) also joined. In 1991 the BWIU amalgamated with the timber unions to become the Australian Timber and Allied Industries Union and Building Workers' Industrial Union (ATAIU & BWIU) Amalgamated Union and to eventually be part of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union in 1993.
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australasia dates back to local engine drivers' unions on Australian goldfields but was not registered federally until 1908. Predecessors include the Newcastle Colliery Engine Drivers' Union (1889-1921), the Newcastle Crane Employees' Union (1893-1915), the Shore Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Union of New South Wales (1901-1908), the Steam Crane Engine Drivers' Society of New South Wales (1901-1910), the New England Engine Drivers' Association (amalgamated in 1908), the Amalgamated Engine Drivers' Association of Tasmania and the United Certificated Engine Drivers' Association of Victoria. It was deregistered in 1949 but formed again in 1950 under the same name. It was amalgamated with the Construction Forestry and Mining Employees' Union and the Operative Plasterers' and Plaster Workers' Federation of Australia in 1992 to form the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union. The union represented engine drivers and firemen, crane drivers, dynamo and boiler attendants, forklift drivers and plant operators in hospitals, abattoirs, dockyards, brickworks, mines, power stations and factories.
Repository
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Includes Operative Painters’ and Decorators’ Union (OPDU) and Building Workers’ Industrial Union (BWIU) membership records 1950 - 1984, meeting minutes, rules, and enterprise agreements negotiated by the union. There are also papers relating to branch elections, amalgamations and finances; disputes, including some legal files; occupational safety including work site safety, drug and alcohol use and asbestos; training; national and international union and political campaigns including the 1998 maritime dispute; and publications, photographs, CDs, DVDs, videos and posters. Some material relates to infrastructure projects and social issues in the Australian Capital Territory including New Parliament House, the Canberra Casino, self-government, school closures, Old Canberra Hospital, the Folk Festival, and the proposed very fast train.
Accruals
5 pallets received
System of arrangement
Records have not been substantially rearranged, so files relating to one issue or company may be found in various locations. File titles have been taken from original files where they exist.Some photographs have been placed in albums by the archivist and others remain in original packets.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Researchers must sign an access agreement. Access to legal files is restricted
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Sooty. Use of gloves and mask recommended
Finding aids
Item list
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Dates of creation revision deletion
Description added May 2022 by Beth Lonergan