Pre-twentieth century conditions

Introduction

Australian workers have gained material comforts and excellent working conditions from past struggles by workers. The Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century led to rapid economic and industrial growth in Europe. The early union efforts to promote workers' rights in the harsh conditions of factories are an important contributor to our system of fair and reasonable employment conditions.

The Industrial Revolution

The conditions in which people worked changed in the 1800s. The Industrial Revolution hinged largely on the industrial and economic growth occurring in England, which used its progress to trade with continental Europe and colonies such as Australia. Factories and modern machinery, which allowed work to be done quickly and efficiently, largely evolved in England. Many traditional farm workers found factory jobs in the cities; however the work was poorly paid and repetitive. Workers mass-produced items such as clothing and furnishings. See image 1.

Nineteenth century Australian working conditions

Working conditions in the nineteenth century Australian colonies were harsh for convict workers. Convicts were prisoners sent from England to Australia to serve their sentence. Convicts were treated as cheap labour by English officials and soldiers. They worked in tough, manual jobs like breaking rocks for housing, roads and bridges. In many cases, the working conditions of convicts represented slavery, where hours were long and conditions unsafe and harsh. Convict 'slaves' were given few meal breaks, if they were fed at all. Slavery-like conditions were also evident with cruel punishments like whipping for minor offences, and where chain gangs of workers endured twelve-hour days in the hot Australian sun. See image 2.

Working conditions in early to mid-nineteenth century Australia improved around the time convicts stopped being sent to the colony. This was a time of great growth, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Ideas about paying workers a wage and providing fairer conditions were received. In fact, by the 1850s, Australia was considered a 'worker's paradise', with plenty of jobs available. Australians were hard workers. The icon of the 'working class Aussie battler' came from these early times. See image 3.

The struggle to improve workers' rights

The idea to improve working conditions came out of the harsh treatment of early Australian workers such as convicts and miners. The 'master and servant' mentality was widespread in the nineteenth century, with workers having little say over when they worked, how they worked and what they were paid. Workers formed unions (collective bargaining associations) to improve their working conditions. Unions were organising and considering ways to improve workers' pay and conditions as early as the 1830s. By the 1850s, there were some powerful unions in Australia, for example the union for builders and the union for stonemasons. These early union formations helped 'win' conditions such as the eight-hour working day for union members. In time, unions would campaign for improved conditions in the factories, which in the 1800s were appalling. Air circulation and light were poor, as were the conditions such as standing all day with few breaks, sitting on hard surfaces and exposure to hazards. In addition, sick employees either had to battle on through the day or risk being sacked. Holiday leave and other modern entitlements did not exist in the nineteenth century.