Against All Odds
1st Edition
Published on 1. May 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
250 pages
978-1-86287-693-4 (ISBN)
Description
The history of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) in Queensland is an unusual and inspiring story. In an era of large amalgamated unions it remains a small union, servicing the special needs of firefighters and at a time when only 20 percent of Australian workers belong to a trade union the UFU still commands the loyalty of virtually all Queensland firefighters. While most Australian unions have been in existence since at least the early twentieth century the UFU was only registered in Queensland in 1976. Prior to this date, firefighters belonged to the AustralianWorkers Union. They only secured their own union after a bitter four-year dispute in Rockhampton that involved the dismissal and eventual reinstatement of that cityâ?Ts UFU firefighters. If the UFU is an unusual union then firefighters are also atypical unionists. Most of their working lives are spent carrying out routine training drills. But, at any moment, this routine can be interrupted by a â?~call-outâ?T where they can be exposed to mayhem and traumatic death. Fire fighting demands the highest levels of physical fitness, experience and courage. It also requires the capacity to behave, in all circumstances, as a team member rather than as an individual. While a sense of â?~mateshipâ?T is common in most jobs the dangers inherent in fire fighting create special bonds. Such bonds have created a unique, tightly-knit workforce whose solidarity is reflected in their union.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Annandale, NSW
Australia
Target group
College/higher education
Weight
277 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-86287-693-4 (9781862876934)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Contents Part 1: Firefighters and Fire Fighting: An Historical Overview 1 The British Tradition 2 Brisbane's great fire and a system of fire brigades 3 The slow march towards professionalism Part 2: Queensland Firefighters and the AWU, 1917-1962 4 Joining the 'fighting' AWU: early achievement, 1917-1937 5 Disillusionment: the first breakaway attempt, 1937-1951 6 Renewing the battle: the second breakaway attempt 7 UFU Branch established, 1960-1962 Part 3: Leaving the AWU, 1962-1970 8 The UFU: a real alternative 9 Maintaining support, 1967-1968 10 The battle for industrial recognition, 1968-1969 11 Firefighters and officers part ways, 1969-1970 Part 4: The Rockhampton dispute and state registration, 1970-1976 12 The situation in Rockhampton 13 The dismissal of Rockhampton's UFU firefighters 14 To the courts 15 An old Chev: Rockhampton 1970-1974 16 Industrial gains, 1971-1975 17 Victory in Rockhampton, 1973-1975 18 Registraition and final hurdles, 1974-1976 Part 5: New challenges and old legacies, 1976-1987 19 New challenges 20 'We're still basically amateyrs' 21 New divisions and old legacies 22 Reformation 23 Amalgamation Part 6: Achievement and division, 1987-1996 24 A new fire service: Better equipped and safer? 25 New wages system, 1987-1991 26 Internal rifts and union restructuring, 1988-1992 27 Final battle with the AWU, 1993-1994 28 Workplace reform and new lwaderships, 1994-1996 Part 7: New directions and challenges, 1996-2008 29 Transformation of the fire service 30 Enterprise bargaining 31 Union stability and renewal 32 'A festering sore': the battle for safe crewing 33 Auxiliary firefighters 34 International solidarity and the campaign for firefighters safety Conclusion Appendix A List of Sacked UFU Firefighters at Rockhampton, 1970-1974 Notes on sources Index