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World War II and Post War Growth |
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Membership of the Union more than doubled during World War II. Despite its dedication to the success of the war effort the union was forced to engage in a number of major industrial problems and find solutions. Many of these were in naval dockyards and in the manufacturing area, which was greatly stimulated by war production ETU members were among the 44,000 people employed in munitions by 1944. They were vital in production to equip the services with all the electrical equipment needed to establish modern weapons. In 1943 State Council was formed to hold regular monthly meetings to deal with business submitted by sub-branches, district agencies or the state council executive. The State Council Executive still meets weekly and deals with all business between State Council meetings, their decisions, however are subject to strict endorsement by the State Council. Meetings of the general membership determine any changes of rule or established policy and exercise an ultimate power of decision. |
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Endeavours of the union in the immediate post-war years were to ensure that all members, returned servicemen and others, were justly re-located into civilian occupations. |
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There had been a major growth in secondary industry since the Union was formed. In 1947 this had increased to over 33% of the workforce. |
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The 1950's were a real period of growth. They saw the development of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme, which the ETU and its members were involved in. Also, significant benefits for electrical workers that the ETU had aggressively campaigned for were introduced. These included improvements to the long service leave and the NSW Workers Compensation Acts. Another area that was greatly improved during this period was safety. The ETU joined with a number of other organisations to form the Electrical Safety Committee, which through the Standards Association then acted as advisers to the Electrical Authority of NSW. From "ETU The Greatest Servant – A Social History of the Electrical Trades Union (NSW Branch)" by John R. Pola
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History