Key dates of Construction Union achievements
Here's just a few of the achievements that the union has helped to fight and win for our members over the last 150 years. The building unions in their various guises throughout history led the way in fighting for better pay, safety and conditions and many are now a standard part of Australian working life. Without the support of the union and their members many of these outcomes would not have been achieved. As a union member you can be proud that your support will help to ensure future generations continue to enjoy these and other benefits.
This list does not include the numerous wage claims over the years that have helped our members to achieve a decent standard of living, not only for themselves but also their families.
1855:
8 hour day - As part of a 48 hour week. The achievement of the 8 hour day on two Sydney building sites in 1855 was a world first! In 1856 it was also won by Melbourne building workers and in the following decades the 8 hour day flowed onto every worker in Australia.
1875-1920:
44 hour week - bricklayers played a prominent role.
1897:
First workers compensation legislation in Australia.
1902-80's:
Amenities campaign - the fight for decent toilet, lunch room and in some cases shower facilities was a long hard fought battle that we won. Up until then workers were forced to endure primitive, squalid conditions on building sites.
1902:
First building industry safety legislation in NSW - the scaffolding & lifts act. - government safety inspectors introduced after years of campaigning.
1904:
Penalty rates for overtime in first NSW building industry award.
Waiting time for late payment of wages.
Fares and travelling allowance in first NSW building award.
1935-43:
1 week annual leave.
1935:
The 40 hour week.
A campaign for a 40 hour week was initially started by Queensland painters back in 1912 who wanted to reduce the amount of time they were exposed to the toxic substances in the paint of those times.
In 1920 Melbourne building workers went on strike over the issue and in 1927 the QLD carpenters, builder's labourers, bricklayers and painters unions were deregistered over the issue - they finally won in 1935.
1938:
1 week sick leave.
1938-44:
2 week annual leave - until the mid 1940's workers had annual leave in their awards were not entitled to sick leave and those who had sick leave were not entitled to annual leave - go figure!
1942:
Paid Smoko (break) in award.
1942-56:
Wet weather pay introduced.
1944-45:
Brick Hod Banned.
1944-60:
Day light training for apprentices.
1947-69:
Paid public holidays.
1951-74:
Long service leave.
1953:
Height money.
1954:
Site allowance.
1956:
Banning of lead paint.
Multi-storey allowance.
1957:
Compulsory safety helmets.
1958-63:
3 weeks annual leave.
1959:
First job safety officer.
1960:
Industry allowance.
1961:
Lofty crane driver's agreement
1962-74:
4 weeks annual leave.
1974:
17.5% annual leave loading
1971:
Accident Pay (full pay on compo)
Prior to this building workers only received a percentage of weekly pay when off injured. Won following a 3 week general strike of the NSW building industry led by the BWIU and starting on the Sydney Opera House site. Then flowed on to all other Australian workers.
1971-74:
Original BLF Green Bans - an action strategy that stoped a lot of Australia's historical buildings being turned into rubble. Here in WA the BLF placed Green Bans on the historic Palace Hotel in St. Georges Terrace, Victoria Hall in Fremantle and helped to save the original Peninsula Hotel in Maylands. Actions also helped to preserve much of Fremantle's heritage.
1972:
First fulltime job safety officers.
1972:
Banning of overhand brickwork.
1975:
Paid rates award.
10 days paid sick leave.
Daily hire replaces hourly hire.
1980's:
Asbestos banned.
1981:
38 hour week and the beginning of R.D.O.s - Rostered Days Off.
1983:
Banned, riding the crane hook - NSW last State to do so after years of campaigning against it.
1984:
Industry superannuation plus mortality and disablement insurance.
1988:
Top-UP workers compensation insurance.
1989:
Redundancy pay as an award right.
WACIRF started collection of entitlements
1991:
Paid leave for union Delegates.
1992:
CSTC registers as a training organisation to provide much needed industry training.
1994:
24 union insurance introduced.
1995:
National redundancy scheme.
Union training levy achieved in WA.
Low interest housing loans through C+Bus introduced
1997:
Portable sick leave.
1998:
CSTC opens state of the art training facility in Welshpool - now provides training for over 5000 people each year on average.
BLF in WA formally completes its merger into becoming the CFMEU WA.
2004:
The Mutual Benefit Fund commenced.
Leisure Travel
Ambulance
Funeral Benefit
Journey Cover
- through WACIRF
2006:
Counselling services commenced offered by ITIM (drug/alcohol/suicide etc) through WACIRF.
2007:
The CFMEU leads the way to abolish Australian Workplace Agreements.
Watch - 'A walk in our Boots'
What most Australians don't realise about the CFMEU.
