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WOMEN IN UNIONS
The first union of women workers, the Victorian Tailoresses Union, was
formed. South Australian Women win the right to vote on the same terms as men. South Australia was the first of the Australian colonies to give women the franchise, and the first democracy in the world to allow
women to stand for parliament. Some trade unions, influenced by women, began to campaign for
equal pay. Women were receiving 54% of male wage rates. During the war years, women replaced men as workers in a wide range of industries. Most of these were awarded 90% of male rates. Child care facilities at work were provided. After the war, women were
replaced by men. Child care centres were closed. Trade unions were successful in lifting female wage rates to 75% of the
male wage rate. Women were encouraged to return to the work-force because of labour shortages.
1969 The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) fought its first equal pay case which resulted in equal pay for women, where men and
women were performing the same work. The ACTU's second equal pay case resulted in having the principle of
equal pay for work of equal value accepted. Government funding grants were made to trade union women in Melbourne and Sydney with the aim of increasing the involvement of
women in trade unions. A two day national women's trade union conference was held in
Sydney and develop the Working Women's Charter. Trade union women were successful in establishing the first work
related child care centre at Ryde.
The ACTU adopted the Working Women's Charter. Working Women's charter Committees were established by each State
Trades and Labor Council and by the ACTU.
The SA Working Women's Centre was established. The ACTU was successful in achieving the right for women to take 12
months maternity leave.
ACTU Congress elected the first women to the ACTU Executive.
The ACTU adopted their Action Programme for Women Workers. Trade Unions were successful in establishing the first 24 hour child care
centre for shiftworkers at Tempe.
State EO Act 1985
The First Anna Stewart Memorial Project conducted in South Australia. 1985
The ACTU's test case on adoption leave was successful. The ACTU's third equal pay case reaffirmed the principle of equal pay
for work of equal value.
The ACTU's test case established the principle of paternity leave.
First women President of the SA Unions.
Position of SA Unions Vice President (Women) created. Women Count Project analysing the representation of women in South
Australian Unions.
SA Unions Assistant Secretary (Women) Position created.
ACTU elect the first women President. Outwork reaching an invisible workforce report leads to SA involvement
in Fair Wear and Outworker campaigns. First South Australian Inter-union Women's Conference - Women,
Violence and Poverty. ACTU launch maternity leave for casual's test case.
First women Secretary elected to SA Unions (previous UTLC SA).
Anna Stewart Memorial Project turns 21.
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