Summary

The WIUA was the One Big Union (OBU) scheme developed by unions in 1918 and approved by a conference representing unions from all States in Melbourne in January 1919. Its Preamble was based on the Detroit IWW Preamble. It became known as the 'official OBU' in contrast to the Workers' International Industrial Union, which was known as the 'unofficial OBU'. The latter criticised the WIUA for being organised from the top downward. By 1921 the WIUA had been undermined by the conservative Australian Workers Union.

Resources

Pamphlets

• Workers' Industrial Union of Australia, Workers' Industrial Union of Australia. Preamble, Classification and Rules, Melbourne, 1919, 31 pp. PDF Details