Background
Working conditions for sheep shearers in 19th century Australia were not good. In 1891 wool was one of Australia's largest industries. But as the wool industry grew, so did the number and influence of shearers.
By 1890, the Australian Shearers’ Union boasted tens of thousands of members, and had unionised thousands of sheds. At their annual conference in Bourke in 1890, the Union laid down a new rule, which prohibited members from working with non-union workers. Soon after, shearers at Jondaryan Station on the Darling Downs went on strike over this issue. As non-union labour was still able to process the wool, the Jondaryan shearers called for help. The Rockhampton wharfies responded and refused to touch the Jondaryan wool. The unionists won the battle. This galvanised the squatters, and they formed the Pastoralists’ Federal Council, to counter the strength of the unions.
Read more about this topic: 1891 Australian Shearers' Strike
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