Tailoresses’ Union formed
1882 - Female clothing workers - strike - Melbourne Trades Hall - Tailoresses’ Union - Melbourne
First female union formed
16 December 1882 - Female
clothing workers, who have been on strike for the past five days, met the
Melbourne Trades Hall Committee fast night to discuss their plans and
subsequently formed the Tailoresses’ Union, believed to be the first female
trade union in the country. The female workers, employed by a clothing factory
in Melbourne, also urged other factory workers in the colony to join them on the
strike, which began after factory management had twice reduced their piecework rates.
Employers have offered the striking workers their jobs back at the former pay rates but the women rejected the offer. The workers have decided instead to continue their strike for a pay rise as many of the women survive on the piecework they take home at night. There are an estimated 4000 female factory workers in Melbourne, almost half of whom have so far joined the strike.
The meeting last night was chaired by Mr B. Doug1ass, of the Trades Hail Committee, who told the women they had the full sympathy of the trade union movement and urged them to stand firm in their strike action. Mr W, Murphy, also of the committee, advocated the formation of the union and Miss Creswell put the motion that they form the union ‘for mutual benefit and protection’. Mr K. Tart, secretary of the Salesman’s Union, called for the women to ignore outside influences and take advice only from the Trades Hall Committee, as they ‘felt for them as sisters’ and would fight for them until the situation was resolved.
The women have received much support within the community and have raised a large sum of money for their cause, including £40 from the men at the Williamstown and Sandridges workshops.