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Emblems of Unity

By Neale Towart

The Gregory J. Smith Collection of Trade Union badges was auctioned today in Sydney. Smith compiled a book on 763 of his remarkable collection which was published in 1992.

	Neale Towart

Many of the unions represented on the badges have disappeared, reflecting the changed nature of the workplace over the past century. The Wool and Basil Workers, Agents, Canvassers and Collectors Union of NSW and the Trolley Draymen and Carters Association for example.

Sadly Smith died recently, which is why the badges are now being sold, but Labor Council hopes to purchase them as foundation stone of a Labour History Museum, to be part of the rejuvenated Trades Hall.

As Smith said in the introduction to his book, "The wearing of a badge or emblem to show pride in membership has a long tradition within Australia's trade unions, and commenced with the formation of the union movement in the mid-nineteenth century. The early records of the Eight Hour Day Marches show that unionists wore identifying emblems, usually in the form of different coloured ribbons or rosettes, with the organizing committee members wearing hand-engraved silver badges, from at least the 1880s.

Although a small number of unions used metal badges in the late nineteenth century, the majority were issued from the turn of the century until the 1950s. Their use was encouraged by the fashion of wearing suits with a badge on in the lapel, or the fob watch and chain on which the old style badges hung. The design usually incorporated tools appropriate to the trade, or an emblem equally symbolic. When the small scale is considered, who could not be impressed by the intricate details of the locomotive and viaduct on the 1892 issue of the NSW Locomotive Engine Drivers and Cleaners Association; or the image of the actor on the stage, complete with scenery and footlights, as issued by the Australian Theatrical and Amusement Employees Association; or the ornate design incorporating the old-fashioned lace-up boot of the Australian Boot Trade Employees Federation?

The importance of badges to the trade unions is exemplified by the Brisbane Tramways strike in 1912, when the ban on the wearing of their badge while on duty was the catalyst that ultimately led to 43 unions joining the strike.

This continues in workplaces today. Lat year at the Labor Council Organising conference, an SDA workplace delegate told how she encouraged members to wear their badges to work, and found it helped greatly in solidarity and identification with other workers.

Burswood Resort attempted to stop LHMU members wearing union badges but the full bench of the W.A. Industrial Commission ruled it was "an industrially unfair infringement on the proper ability of union members to express their membership in the workplace, promote their organization and their interests as members of that organisation."

One of the badges on sale is from the Sydney Wharf Labourers from 1900 to 1916 which bears the initials of W.M. Hughes. Another rarity is one issued to strikebreakers during the 1917 general strike in NSW. Also the Lilywhite Association badge of 1918. The Association was formed by workers who stayed out for the full duration of the 1917 strike.

Smith was working on another book of his collection when he died last year. He hoped that his publication would "encourage the preservation and further study of the use of badges in the development of our trade unions, and foster their continual issuing in the future."

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  Issue 90 contents

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»	Breakthrough on Sweat-Shops
»	Beazley to Force Executive Disclosure
»	Call Centre Union Busters Get Wake-Up Call
»	Victorious Workers Paint the Picket Red
»	Grenadier Workers Maintain Vigil
»	Kembla Water Rats Face Extinction
»	Employers Told: Casual Workers Have Full-Time Rights
»	Good On Ya Mum, Buttercup�s Leaving Town
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»	Record Low Aussie Dollar Adds to Surging Profits
»	No Progress on Stonemasons
»	Burrow Lobbies on BHP and US Trade Abroad
»	Feed the Shangri-La Workers Fund
»	STOP PRESS: Union Numbers Up - ABS

»	The Soapbox
»	The Locker Room
»	Trades Hall
»	Tool Shed

»	Crumby Company

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