Australian unionism from flood to ebb tide: a summary of the argument

This book has told the story of Australian unionism over five decades. It is a story filled with drama, from the migrant worker revolt in the car factories to the unprecedented mobilisations against WorkChoices that defeated a government and lost the Prime Minister his own seat. The story of unionism in these years encompasses mass strikes to free Clarrie O'Shea, the Vietnam Moratorium marches, and the emergence of a new generation of women and public sector unionists in the 1970s. It includes a bitter 10-week strike in the Latrobe Valley in the 1970s and work-ins at factories and coal mines. It also includes mass demonstrations against the Kennett Government in Victoria and a six-week strike by Ford workers in defiance of their own union leaders. The story encompasses the militant demonstration at Parliament House in 1996 and mass pickets on the waterfront. During these five decades trade unionists acted in solidarity with working-class communities and social causes on dozens of occasions. Aboriginal activists, students and environmentalists have all had cause to thank unions for their support.

The story of unions is also a chronicle of the ‘little’ events: the workers who were reinstated due to union action, and the bullying supervisors who had their wings clipped. It is the story of fights for higher wages, paid public holidays, paid maternity leave, decent sick pay and safer workplaces.