The Missos

This is the story of the spectacular growth of the avowedly left-wing Federated Miscellaneous Workers Union from its humble origins as a federation of two cleaners' and caretakers' unions in 1915 to become one of the biggest and most politically powerful unions in Australia. The Missos united thousands of workers in diverse occupations, achieving industrial muscle through strength of numbers. Size brought political power in the Labor Party and the ACTU and the union's long-term General Secretary Ray Geitzelt was a key figure in the ascendancy of Bob Hawke and other senior labour movement figures. Today the union is part of the Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.