Sydney Wharf Labourers Union, No. 2651 (George Lewis)
Maker
Waterside Workers Federation
(Australian, 1872 - 1993)
Date1901
Object number00014688
NameMembership badge
MediumMetal: nickel alloy
DimensionsOverall: 27 mm, 0.01 kg
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Kevin G Lewis
Collections
DescriptionMembership badge of the Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union, issued to George Lewis. Inscription raeds 'Sydney Wharf Labourers Union'.
HistoryTrade union badges played an important part in the life of waterside workers in the early 20th century. The badges were worn to show pride in the union and to create solidarity by identifying other union members. The badges were held in high regard by unionists, on one occasion there was a strike when an attempt was made to ban them from the workplace. Though some unions had metal badges in the 19th century most were issued at the turn of the 20th century when it became fashionable to sew them onto caps and the lapels of suits, or tie them to fob watches. They usually depicted the tools appropriate to the trade union or a symbolic emblem, in this case the clasped hands of friendship and solidarity.
This badge signified that the bearer was a fully paid up member of the Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union, after his annual dues were paid the year was stamped onto the badge with the initials of the union's secretary. Without this badge he would not have been allowed on the wharf.
This was the membership badge of George Lewis, the grandfather of the donor. An article in the Australian Manufacturers' Journal of 15 August 1925 describes him of being of huge physique, weighing 20 stone, with a happy personality.
The initials on the badge stand for William Morris Hughes (1862-1952) the secretary of the Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union 1899-1916 and Prime Minister of Australia 1915-1923. The Sydney Wharf Labourers' Union was formed in 1872 (wharf labourers' unions were formed in Port Adelaide and Port Melbourne in the same year) but by the 1890s it was in a state of virtual collapse due to that decade's economic depression and the subsequent industrial turmoil. The union turned to William Morris Hughes, a labour organiser and Labour politician, to rectify the situation. Appointed secretary in 1899 he successfully re-organised and re-energised the union and continued to hold the post till 1916. Australian federation spurred the various state wharf workers' unions to federate as the Waterside Workers Federation in 1902. Elected its first president Hughes obtained federal registration for it in 1907.
SignificanceThis small item contains a lot of information on waterside workers and their trade unions at the turn of the 20th century. The symbolic clasped hands are a powerful image of solidarity and the payment records stamped onto the badge are a reminder of the obligations of membership.
Waterside Workers Federation of Australia
20th century
January - February 1952
