
One Big Union
A History of the Australian Workers Union 1886-1994
Cambridge University Press
Published on 1. July 1996
Book
Hardback
395 pages
978-0-521-55138-0 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
The Australian Workers Union (AWU), formed in 1886, has been one of the most influential unions in Australia's political and industrial history. This comprehensive and compelling book, first published in 1996, is a national history of the AWU. It shows that the union has been a player in key events and crises in Australian history, including the great strikes of the 1890s, the 1916-17 conscription crisis, Labor's splits in the 1950s and the 1956 shearers' strike. The book features vivid portraits of the tempestuous and talented individuals who matched these great issues. Unique as a union whose industrial and political power was unrivalled for over sixty years, few unions in Great Britain or the United States have had such influence as the AWU. This book will be an important addition to labour history, but it is also a work of general appeal.
Reviews / Votes
' ... an honest well researched book which fills a large gap in the historiography of Australian labour.' Labour History ReviewMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
1 line figure 40 halftones 1 map
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
792 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-55138-0 (9780521551380)
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
Other editions
New editions

Book
01/1996
Cambridge University Press
€53.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Additional editions

Book
01/1996
Cambridge University Press
€53.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Content
Introduction: the progress of a moderate man W. G. Spence; 1. The knights of the blade, 1886-9; 2. Looking for justice, 1890-1; 3. The hustle for jobs, 1892-4; 4. Grinding in the iron heel, 1895-1901; 5. The giant refreshed, 1902-14; 6. One big union, 1914-20; 7. Ourselves alone, 1920-9; 8. A union that battles, 1930-9; 9. A wonderful machine, 1940-9; 10. Anxious to see the light, 1950-9; 11. The meaning of mateship, 1956-9; 12. Making the truth hurt, 1960-9; 13. Too good for the lot of you, 1970-9; 14. Out of the past, 1980-94; Conclusion.