Collection of 32 documents relating to the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority
Date1950s-1978
Object numberANMS1362
NameArchive series
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Carol O'Connor
DescriptionThis series of 32 papers was collected by Bernard James O'Connor during his period as the Director of the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority. The papers relate to parliamentary and Australian Stevedoring Industry Association reports and speeches. This series consists of three speech transcripts; one memorandum; one set of Minutes from the Waterside Workers' Federation of Australia Special Federal Council Meeting; one Waterside Workers' newsletter; one Criminology Research Council Annual Report; three letters and 22 reports relating to Stevedoring Industry Bills, employee leave and Federal Council Meetings.HistoryThe Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority was set up in 1956 as a body corporate to regulate the performance of stevedoring operations. It comprised a chairman, an employer representative and a trade union representative. In 1970 the Authority was reconstituted with the addition of a Director. In 1978, after considerable reform of waterfront organisation, the Authority was terminated. Most of its functions went to the Association of Employers of Waterside Labour. Its assets and liabilities went to the Stevedoring Industry Finance Committee.
Bernard James O'Connor had been Chief Legal Officer and Industrial Officer with the Stevedoring Industry Board, forerunner of the Authority, since 1954. He then became Solicitor to the Authority, and was appointed Director in 1970 when that position was established. He remained Director until the Authority was wound up in 1978.
During this period the Australian waterfront industry underwent vast changes. In the 1950s and 1960s the Waterside Workers' Federation won many victories through industrial action, including control of hiring labour, while wharf labourers' awards and conditions were greatly increased and improved. In the 1970s with changing trade and the introduction of containerisation, the industry and its operations were reformed under the powers of the Australian Industry Authority.SignificanceThis collection chronicles Bernard O'Connor's tenure as Solicitor and then Director of the Australian Stevedoring Industry Authority through a period of massive change on the Australian waterfront.