On Strong Foundations

The roots of unionism in the Australian construction industry go back to the mid 1800s. From the beginning, construction unions have had a strong and militant foundation of fighting for better wages and conditions. The militant tradition has seen the construction unions at the forefront of many of the struggles confronting working people. This page presents some of those stories.

Overview: from early beginnings to the present day

CFMEU Amalgamation - 1990s

The battle for civilised working hours

The fight for safe working conditions in construction

The Great Accident Pay Dispute of 1971

Green Bans to protect the environment

Solidarity and political action: fighting for a better world

Victorian 36 Hour Week Campaign

8 Hour Working Day

West Gate Memorial Park opened on 34th anniversary of Australia's worst workplace catastrophe

�Pink Bans: the historic role of the NSW Builders� Labourers Federation in support of gay rights� by Jeremy Fisher, Executive Director, Australian Society of Authors

Women and the Eureka Stockade: Anastasia Hayes


United we bargain - Divided we beg.
	Contact the National Office, Construction Division at: Level 12, 276 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: 02 8524 5800 Fax: 02 8524 5801 Email: queries@fed.cfmeu.asn.au Postal address: PO Box Q235, Queen Victoria Building Post Office, Sydney NSW 1230.