Why did the shearers strike happen?

For almost four months during 1891, central Queensland was preoccupied with a feud between shearers striking against working conditions and wealthy squatters. Recognised as one of Australia’s first major industrial disputes, the strike occurred during the overseas-induced depression of the 1890s.

What happened in shearers strike?

Striking shearers formed armed camps outside of towns. Thousands of armed soldiers protected non-union labour and arrested strike leaders. The unionists retaliated by raiding shearing sheds, harassing non-union labour and committing acts of sabotage, although the incidents of actual violence or arson were few.

When was the shearers strike?

1891
1891 Australian shearers’ strike/Start dates
January 1891 marked the start of one of Australia’s most famous (or infamous) industrial disputes, the Shearers’ Strike.

What was the outcome of the maritime strike of 1890?

The strike was defeated when the Marine Officers returned to work on the employers terms in November 1890, with Illawarra coal miners being the last workers to return to work in January 1891. A shortage of money to sustain the strike and a plentiful supply of strikebreakers eventually defeated the strikers.

How was the shearers strike resolved?

At Rockhampton Supreme Court on 1 May 1891, the trial of 14 men accused of conspiracy against the Crown was presided over by Justice George Rogers Harding. The accused were alleged to be leaders of the 1891 shearers’ strike and on 20 May, the jury returned its verdict of Guilty.

When did the shearers strike end?

The strike lasted from January 1956 until October in Queensland – NSW and Victoria had finished earlier in the year. The shearers and the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) managed to get the old rates reinstated, so it was seen as a major victory for the shearers and their union.

What was the main cause of the maritime strike?

The Maritime Strike of 1890 was precipitated by the refusal of ship-owners to allow the Maritime Officers to affiliate to the Melbourne Trades Hall Council. It quickly became the first great conflict between labour and capital in Australia and New Zealand, pitting the principle of unionism against freedom of contract.

What was the cause of the maritime strike of 1890?

The strike began when the bosses objected to the Mercantile Marine Officers’ affiliation with the Melbourne Trades Hall Council – they wanted to keep unions apart. At the same time, the Shearers’ Union was campaigning against anti-union bosses in their trade.

What is a maritime strike?

A shipping, mining, and shearing strike in Australia. It was a time of economic depression and workers were fighting for trade union recognition (including the “closed shop”), although other issues were also involved. The unions were defeated, some collapsing completely.

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Where was the shearers strike in Queensland in 1891?

On January 5, 1891 the strike began at Logan Downs Station in Central Queensland, when the station manager asked shearers sign a contract which would reduce working conditions and entitlements as well as the influence of the union. Bladeshearing, Aramac ca 1890. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.

Who was the judge in the Great Shearers Strike of 1891?

Finally, the United Pastoralists Association after engaging 1805 free labourers during the strike, was prepared to employ the rebels. At Rockhampton Supreme Court on 1 May 1891, the trial of 14 men accused of conspiracy against the Crown was presided over by Justice George Rogers Harding.

Where was George Fairbairn on the Great Shearers Strike?

In early February, grazier George Fairbairn Jnr and two colleagues from the QPEA were on the Rockhampton wharf to meet the ship Derwent, with its cargo of free labourers, or ‘scabs’ as the waiting mob on the wharf called them. They were delivered by train to Clermont, Emerald, Springsure and Capella.

Why did shearers on Darling Downs go on strike?

Soon after, shearers at Jondaryan Station on the Darling Downs went on strike over this issue, then at Logan Downs Station, union shearers were outraged when they were asked to sign a contract that would reduce the power of their union.