An early banner of the FMWU | |
Merged into | Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union |
---|---|
Founded | 15 December 1915 [1] |
Dissolved | 1992 |
Headquarters | Labor Council Building, 377 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW |
Location | |
Members | 95,000 (1976) [2] |
Key people | Martin Ferguson (General Secretary), Jim McGinty (Secretary), Jeff Lawrence (General Secretary), Sid O'Flaherty (Secretary), Fred Katz (General Secretary) |
Affiliations | ACTU, ALP, Association of International Disarmament, International Chemical Federation, General Workers Federation |
The Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union (FMWUl commonly known as the 'Missos') was an Australian trade union from 1915 to 1992. [3] It represented an extremely diverse and disparate range of occupations, but its core support came from workers employed in cleaning and security services. [1] The union merged with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form United Voice in 1992.
The union was first established on 6 May 1910 as the Watchmen, Caretakers and Cleaners Union of New South Wales (WCCU), [4] which was created by the Organising Committee of the New South Wales Labor Council. [1] The task of organisation was a difficult one due to the casualised and isolated nature of the occupations covered. [1] Under the leadership of the first Secretary of the WCCU, Joe Coote, the union adopted a pragmatic approach to increasing union membership by including any workers not already represented by trade unions, such as paintmaking employees. [1] To reflect the growing range of industries represented in 1915 the union changed its name to the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union. [3]
After steady growth over the first half of the century, including winning paid sick leave, annual leave and a forty-hour week, the union really took off in the 1950s. A new rank-and-file leadership led by Ray Gietzelt took over to create a vibrant, member-driven union. [5]
Famous campaigns during the 1950s and 60s included organising workers paid to be Santa Clauses at Christmas and a group of dance instructors who were locked out for four months before winning their jobs back. [5] In the late 1960s the FMWU absorbed the membership of the defunct Australian Leather and Allied Trades Employees' Federation. [1]
The strength of the "Missos" grew over these years, with membership increasing from 25,000 in 1955 to 88,000 by 1975. Ray Gietzelt remained General Secretary from 1955 to 1984.
In 1992 the FMWU amalgamated with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union (LHMU), later renamed United Voice. [3]
In 2019 United Voice merged with the National Union of Workers (NUW) to form the United Workers Union (UWU). Now the largest private-sector union in Australia. [6]
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), or more fully the Automotive, Food, Metals, Engineering, Printing and Kindred Industries Union, is an Australian trade union. The AMWU represents a broad range of workers in the manufacturing sector, as well as associated industries, and is affiliated to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
The Australian Services Union is a trade union representing workers in a variety of industries.
United Voice was a Australian trade union from 1992 to 2019. It merged with the National Union of Workers to form the United Workers Union in 2019. United Voice was part of the Labor Left faction of the Australian Labor Party.
Arthur Thomas Gietzelt, AO was an Australian politician and minister.
Federated Marine Stewards and Pantrymen's Association of Australasia was an Australian trade union established in 1884, and existing as a federal union from 1909 to 1988. The association represented marine stewards and stewardesses, marine pantrymen and crew attendants. The union operated a closed shop, with all workers employed in the industry members of the union, and operated on a 'no OK card - no job' principle.
Manufacturing Grocers' Employees' Federation of Australia (M.G.U.) was an Australian trade union existing between 1906 and 1988. The union was first established as the Federated Candle, Soap, Soda & Starch Employees' Union of Australia, before changing its name in 1914. The union represented workers employed in manufacturing grocers' sundries and non-edible grocery products, particularly in the southern states of South Australia and Victoria. In 1988 the union amalgamated with the Federated Millers and Mill Employees' Union to form the Federated Millers and Manufacturing Grocers Employees' Association of Australia, which in turn merged with a number of unions to form the National Union of Workers.
The Federated Cold Storage and Meat Preserving Employees' Union (FCSMPEU) was an Australian trade union which existed between 1908 and 1992. The union represented workers employed in refrigeration, and the production of ice, dairy products, preserved meat, fish, game and poultry in the southern states of Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The union was initially known as the Cold Storage Union of Victoria before changing its name in 1915. The union maintained 100 per cent membership, and most workplaces were closed shops.
The Federated Rubber and Allied Workers' Union of Australia was an Australian trade union which existed between 1909 and 1988. The union represented workers employed in manufacturing rubber, plastic, electrical cable, adhesive and abrasive products in Australia.
The Australian Textile Workers' Union (ATWU) was an Australian trade union which existed from 1919 to 1987. The ATWU represented Australian workers employed in the manufacture of textiles, including the spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing of all types of fibres. Later, the union also represented workers employed in manufacturing felt hatting.
The Clothing and Allied Trades Union of Australia (CATU) was an Australian trade union which existed between 1907 and 1992. The CATU represented workers employed in the manufacture of clothing and manchester goods, including pressers, cutters and machinists. Approximately 85 percent of the union's membership was female.
The Australian Theatrical and Amusement Employees' Association was an Australian trade union which existed between 1910 and 1993. It represented a wide range of workers employed in the entertainment industry in Australia.
The Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia (FLAIEU) was an Australian trade union from 1910 to 1992. It represented workers employed in hospitality, catering, breweries and alcohol retailing. The union merged with the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia to form United Voice in 1992.
The Australian Leather and Allied Trades Employees' Federation (ALATEF) was an Australian trade union that existed between 1945 and 1970. It represented workers employed in the preparation of leather from hides, and the manufacture of a variety of leather and canvas goods.
Ray Gietzelt AO was a major figure in the Australian union movement in the latter part of the 20th century. He led the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union of Australia from 1955 to 1984. Ray Gietzelt exerted major influence in the careers of Bob Hawke, Neville Wran and Lionel Murphy, and he was made a Life Member of the Australian Labor Party.
The Printing and Kindred Industries Union (PKIU) was an Australian trade union which existed between 1966 and 1995. It represented production workers in the printing industry, including compositing, typesetting, letterpress printing, lithographic plate-making, electrotyping, stereotyping and bookbinding, and the manufacture of paper and cardboard products, such as paper bags, envelopes, cardboard boxes and cartons. Approximately half of all members were qualified tradespeople, with the remainder semi-skilled or unskilled workers.
The Association of Draughting Supervisory and Technical Employees (ADSTE), originally known as the Association of Architects, Engineers, Surveyors and Draughtsmen of Australia (AAESDA), was an Australian trade union which existed between 1915 and 1991. It represented white collar and technical-grade employees in both the private sector and the public service.
The Federated Moulders' (Metals) Union of Australia (FMMUA) was an Australian trade union which existed between 1899 and 1983. It represented moulders – skilled tradesmen who fabricated the moulds for casting metal products in foundries. In spite of only organising within a single skilled occupation, which kept total membership low, the vital position of moulders in major industries such as mining, manufacturing and the railways, ensured that the union remained industrially powerful with a reputation for being highly militant.
The Pulp and Paper Workers Federation of Australia (PPWF) was an Australian trade union which existed between 1913 and 1991. The PPWF represented workers in the pulp and paper industry.
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