Electrical Trades Union NSW Branch

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The Great War and the Great Depression

During the first 40 years the union had to withstand the rigours of two world wars and a massive depression. In spite of this, the union gathered strength.

In 1915 there were 1768 members of the union in NSW. Hundreds of these volunteered and served with the armed forces in the Great War.

In 1914 the union accepted a recommendation from the Labor Council that unions refrain from striking during the war. Despite the promises of the ETU in regards to no-strike action, there was a major dispute in 1917 over the introduction of a "card system" at Randwick State workshop. It led to the jailing of strikers, the sacking of unionists and the creation by the transport authorities of a scab union.

In May 1921, it was resolved that members would refuse to work with any man or refuse to connect up any work done by workers not holding an electrician's license. The union offered to issue such tickets and to stand by the workmanship of the holders of such tickets.

From the late 1920’s till the early 1930’s the effects of the Great depression created a deplorable industrial situation as far as the electrical trades were concerned. 1932 and 1933 were the worst two years for members.

The official anniversary of the union is October 28 1902. There was a meeting in room 27 of the Trades Hall, and at this meeting the following were elected: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee members representing government workers and civil workers.

The NSW Branch of the union endeavoured to act as a labour exchange finding employment for the many members who were out of work and at the same time mounted a relief campaign.

In 1931 the ETU supported the Labor Council in a general strike against a proposed 10% reduction in wages by the Federal Arbitration Court.

In 1934, the total number of union members unemployed was 632.

In 1936 the union commenced a campaign for a 40-hour week.

By 1938, when the worst of the depression was over, the union had almost no unemployed on its books and the demand for electrical fitters and mechanics exceeded supply.

The ETU in 1920 was among the first to fight to ensure equal pay should be given to both sexes for similar work. The first women joined the union in 1930, with 51 registering in that year. In the early sixties and in 1970 the ETU had commenced action in the equal pay case that led to equal pay for all adult females. An employers appeal against the equal pay decision was unsuccessful.

From "ETU The Greatest Servant – A Social History of the Electrical Trades Union (NSW Branch)" by John R. Pola