Union History Blog
The 1916 campaign against conscription
October 13, 2021
On the 28th of October, 1916, the union-led campaign against conscription for overseas service won…
Zelda D’Aprano’s Equal Pay protest
On 21 October 1969, legendary union activist Zelda D’Aprano chained herself to the doors of…
West Gate Bridge collapse
Today we commemorate one of the worst industrial disasters in Australia’s history: the collapse of…
1963: The ACTU backs the campaign for wage equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers
September 28, 2021
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following post may contain…
Henry Lawson: the workers’ poet
Today we are commemorating Henry Lawson, who in the late nineteenth century was a superstar…
The ACTU’s 1941 Equal Pay Conference
On 2 September 1941, unionists gathered at Melbourne’s Trades Hall for a special conference.In August…
Jennie George becomes the first woman elected ACTU President
In September 1995, Jennie George became the first woman to be elected as President of…
How unions won the weekend
September 7, 2021
Did you know that workers in their unions had to take action to win the…
A short history of unions taking action for equal pay!
August 31, 2021
31 August is Equal Pay Day – a day that draws attention to the ongoing…
Union solidarity with East Timor
August 27, 2021
In 1999, East Timor was in flames.On August 30, the Timorese people voted overwhelmingly for…