The Formative Years

"In 1867 lights shine like never before: flashing arc lamps powered by a series of fifty cell batteries drape over five Melbourne Public Buildings. It's to celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh's visit. An 'Age' newspaper writer pontificates, "We see little value in electricity yet... though it may have some future potential."
(Age 25.11.1867)

“Two years on, the Kelly Gang bails up Jerilderie and the MCG is illuminated for night sports events.”
(Illustrated Australian News 30.8.1879)

Suddenly the potential the Age writer so astutely wrote of is realised. Electricity is now being generated and sold, jobs in a new field of technology created, and the lethal potential of it yet to be experienced.

“By March 1894 twenty General Electric Dynamos supply 3,000 volts d.c. to a network of lighting covering the city with sixty miles of street cables. Another of those astute writers pontificates, "Gas so far as public work is concerned, has had its day..."
(Argus 9.5.1894)

By 1902 the number of electric light works have been reduced by amalgamation from ten to seven, the engines have gotten bigger and the electrical workers have been reduced from 199 to 147. On Tuesday, May 13, a group of 91 Electrical Men has gathered at the Co-operative Rooms, 28 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. They form Electrical Association of Australia and elect an Executive.

 1902 Electrical Men Handbill.

President: E. Giles Vice President: W. R. Stewart Secretary: A. McPhail Treasurer: I. G. Wittkowski

General Committee: A. Kelly, G. Hooper, J. Derbyshire, F. Hackett, R. Trungeon, T. Shaw J. H. Horton

Fifteen days Later Andy McPhail goes to the Melbourne Trades Hall and the Electrical Trade Union is recorded in the annals of Union history when half way down the page of the T.H.C. minutes are scrawled the words:

'A McPhail, Sec. newly formed Electrical Employees Association stating that they had formed a union and acceded(sic) to affiliate with the council.'

Electrical Trades Union of Victoria. Eight Hours' Procession, 1903.

Reproduced with permission from the La Trobe Australian Manuscripts Collection, State Library of Victoria.

In June 1907 the Trades Hall Council sends a deputation to the Supply Committee of the Melbourne City Council with a request for more money in the wage packet.

Whether it is because of the deputation or not things happen and in July the Electric Supply Committee records in its minutes an increase in wages for electrical employees.

Clearly, by 1911 The Electrical Trades Union of Victoria not only exists as the major force, with a membership of 121, but operates with teeth. It ruffles feathers and forces issues. In November of 1911 it applies for Federal Registration "..."on the quiet," so to speak..." as the New South Wales branch puts it. "This is not playing the game..." they say and ... "certainly a bad start for the proposed federation." In response to the application Don Black, Secretary of the of the NSW branch writes an objectionable letter to the Secretary of the Victorian branch, J. Vern Gunst, "...which expresses the views of the majority concerning the action of the Electrical Trades Union of Victoria ... in trying to steal a march upon their kindred in the other states..." _{ETU Journal January 25, 1912}

 Electrical Trades Union of Victoria. Eight Hours' Procession, 1912.

Federation is granted and in February 1913, the Victorian E.T.U. convenes a meeting in order to draw up a Federal constitution at which four states are represented. By March the Electrical Workers Association of South Australia has decided to join the Federated Electrical Trades Union of Australia.

On April 8, the half yearly meeting of the Victorian Branch is held at the Trades Hall where, at a house full meeting, Mr. J. Vern Gunst is re-elected secretary and congratulated upon his the efficient manner in which he carried out his duties. It is also noted that the membership has grown by 160 in this term and that "...the progress of the union has been very marked in all respects."

In October 1914 the New South Wales branch of the union joins the federation, and so the creation of a national union is complete.

So, in just a little more than a decade the electrical workers in Victoria have organised themselves into a collective body that can effectively fight for its rights and have forced the issue of Federation. This means that the rights and award conditions can be sought after and established on a National level and the strength of the union greatly enhanced. The Victorian Branch of the E.T.U. can truly claim to have been the leader in the set up of a National union that will be the representative of the Australian electrical worker in an industry that is about to change the scene of industry forever.

In 1919 the Federated Electrical Trades Union of Australia changed its name to the Electrical Trades Union of Australia.

Now, in 1999 the Victorian Branch of the Electrical Trades Union, is as vibrant as it has ever been. Its history will show that it has led the charge on many issues since Federation including licensing, training wages and conditions. The present shows a http://www.kenpurdham.com/Lloyd%http://www.kenpurdham.com/Lloyd%20Bray.html that is growing and a pride that is high. The future is ours for the taking.

Ken Purdham 1999

Click here to read an article on Charles Baker, oldest living ETU member in January 2001 Newsletter

ETU HEROES OF THE PAST - by Ken Purdham