National Union of Workers

History

The National Union of Workers of Australia was formed by a progressive amalgamation of unions from 1989 onwards in a time when all Australian unions were merging, with varying degrees of success. These unions merged into the one larger union to pool their expertise and resources, so they could provide members with a larger range of quality services.

The six unions which form the National Union of Workers were established in the early part of last century and have been at the forefront of workers' achievements for nearly 100 years:

• Federated Storemen and Packers Union (Est. 1912)
• Federated Rubber and Allied Workers Union (Est. 1908)
• Federated Cold Storage and Meat Preserving Employees' Union (Est. 1908)
• Federated Millers and Manufacturing Grocers Union (Est. 1909)
• Commonwealth Foremen's Association (Est. 1912)
• United Sales Representatives and Commercial Travellers Guild (Est. 1888)

In 2018 it was announced the National Union of Workers was in the process of merging with another union, United Voice. In June 2019, the Fair Work Commission approved a vote on the proposed merger between the two unions which will be held in August. On 30 August 2019 the Australian Electoral Commission declared the result of the vote, with just over 95% of members supporting the amalgamation. The name of the new union was the United Workers Union. As a result of the amalgamation, the National Union of Workers will be deregistered as part of the merger and its members folded into the larger United Voice. On 11 November 2019, the new United Workers Union was formed.

Coverage

The National Union of Workers covered workers in the following industries:

• Warehousing and distribution
• Food manufacturing
• Rubber, plastic and cable-making
• Dairy
• Cold storage
• Poultry, fish and game processing
• Skin and hide
• Wool
• Oil
• Pet food
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Milling
• Market research
• Merchandising and sales representatives

Politics

The National Union of Workers was one of the most powerful unions in the Australian Labor Party and its national Labor Right faction. It was generally a member along with other right-wing unions of the various state Labor Right factions that make up the national Labor Right faction. However it made up its own Labor Right faction in Victoria called Labor Action and in Queensland called Labor Unity (also known as the Old Guard). The National Union of Workers has also funded and supported the left-wing party, the Victorian Socialists.

References

References

1. "Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2019". National Union of Workers.
2. (16 October 2018). "Second major union merger proposed for next year".
3. "'Mega Union' tipped with United Voice close to merger with National Union of Workers". thesector.com.au.
4. (August 30, 2019). "Members vote in favour of United Workers Union".
5. (30 August 2019). "Workers vote to create new mega union".
6. (22 April 2015). "New Victorian super-faction boosts Bill Shorten's influence on Labor party machine".
7. (2 September 2014). "What is the factional breakdown at Labor Conferences?".
8. (22 April 2015). "New Victorian super-faction boosts Bill Shorten's influence on Labor party machine".
9. (5 March 2013). "Understanding the Labor Factions".
10. "Unions back Victorian Socialists' campaign".