The Rise of the Modern Labour Technocrat: Intellectual Labour and the Transformation of the Amalgamated Metal Workers'Union, 1973-85

Labour History

Volumn , Issue 77, 1999, Pages 65-82

  Scalmer, Sean ^a   Irving, Terry ^a  

^a NONE

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[No Author keywords available]

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EID: 17044399879     PISSN: 00236942     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.3828/27516670     Document Type: Article

References (165)

1. William Guthrie Spence, Australia's Awakening: Thirty Years in the Life of an Australian Agitator, Australia: The Worker Trustees, Sydney and Melbourne, 1909, p.505.
2. V.G. Childe, How Labour Governs: A Study of Workers' Representation in Australia, 2nd edn, Melbourne University Press, Parkville, 1964.
3. See S. Scalmer, 'Being Practical in Early and Contemporary Labor Polities', Australian Journal of Politics and History, November 1997.
4. A phrase from J. T. Lang, / Remember, Invincible Press, Sydney, n.d. [1956], pp.133-4.
5. S. Macintyre, 'Early Socialism and Labor', Intervention, no. 8, March 1977, p. 82.
6. For a critique of 'labourism' see T. Irving, 'Labourism: a Political Genealogy', Labour History, no. 66, May 1994.
7. The use of Marxian authorities such as Lenin by the Communist Party's leadership is surveyed in S. Scalmer, 'Marxist Ideology inside the Communist Party of Australia 1942-1956', Journal of Political Ideologies, vol. 3, no. 1, 1998, pp. 45-61.
8. P. Ewer, W. Higgins, and A. Stevens, Unions and the Future of Australian Manufacturing, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1987, p. 9.
9. The distinction between 'class-mass' expressive parties and 'catch-all' electoralist parties is made by Otto Kirchcheimer, The Transformation of the Western European Party Systems' in Joseph La Palombara and Myron Weiner (eds), Political Parties and Political Development, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1966, pp. 177-200.
10. D. Jaensch, The Hawke-Keating Hijack, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1989.
11. Proponents of greater expert policy input included: 'Editorial: Parliamentary Labor and its Leaders', Sydney Morning Herald, 26 February 1964, p.2
12. 'Onlooker', 'Candid Comment', Sun Herald, 17 March 1963, p.36
13. S. Encel, The Labor Party and the Future', Australian Quarterly, vol. 36, no. 3, September 1964, p.24.
14. The principal forum for expanded expert advice was the Standing Committee - supported in Don Dunstan The Federal Executive of the ALP', Australian Quarterly, vol. 36, no.2, June 1964.
15. Dissent praised the committees in 'Comment: ALP Again', Dissent, no. 14, Winter 1965, p.4.
16. 'Prime Minister Addresses Commonwealth Conference', Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union Monthly Journal, June 1973, p.9
17. 'Address by Minister for Labour to Conference', Monthly Journal, June 1973, p.9
18. J. Cairns, 'Economic Planning - Emphasis on Human Values', Monthly Journal, August 1973, p.9
19. Policies for Development of Manufacturing Industry: A Green Paper, Volume One: Report to the Prime Minister by the Committee to Advise on Policies for Manufacturing Industry, AGPS, Canberra, 1975, pp.196-7.
20. This is Steve Cooper's account of a conference between Government officials and union researchers - Steve Cooper, Trade Union Training', Monthly Journal, August 1974, pp.26-7.
21. J. Cade, 'Where's the ACTU Heading?', Australian Left Review, June-July 1967, p.10. 12. 'Comment', Australian Left Review, April-May 1969, p.3.
22. T. Sheridan, Mindful Militants: The Amalgamated Engineering Union in Australia 1920-1972, Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1975, pp. 303-4.
23. L. Aarons, 'Viewpoint', Australian Left Review, no. 34, March 1972, p. 8.
24. T. Sheridan, Mindful Militants, p.303.
25. S. Cooper, Trade Union Training', Monthly Journal, August 1974, p.26.
26. In June 1972, the research officers were J. Baird, G. Phelan, and J. Hutson, Quarterly Report, June 1972; see also 'Research Officer', Monthly Journal, October 1973, p.
27. Material on 'general economic questions' included living standards, over-award payments, price control, education, Federal government budgets, social services, the Australian economy and the penal powers - J.D. Garland, 'Commonwealth Secretary's Report', Amalgamated Engineering Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the First Commonwealth Conference, 19-23 May, 1969, Union Printing Ptd Ltd, p. 8. 19. '"Six Wage Concepts" Launched', Monthly Journal, September 1972, pp.11-12.
28. J. Baird, 'Mini Budget Proposals a Fake', Monthly Journal, May 1972, p. 14
29. J. Baird, The Statistics of Unemployment for a Jobless Worker - Poverty, Misery, Insult', Monthly Journal, May 1972, pp. 21-2.
30. 'Inflation and Price Control', Amalgamated Metal Workers Union, Addresses, Reports and Discussions of the Second Commonwealth Conference, 30 May - 7 June 1974, pp.90-1
31. 'Reports of the Combined Research Centre to Commonwealth Conference', in Monthly Journal, June 1973, July 1973 on the question of tariffs, September 1973, on the question of an incomes policy.
32. J.D. Garland, 'Commonwealth Office Report', Monthly Journal, March 1976, p. 4
33. 'Computer System Seminar: AMWU Education Committee Activity', Monthly Journal, May 1976, p. 13
34. L. Carmichael, 'Research Department Report', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June 1978, p. 63.
35. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, January 1980, p. 7; J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, January 1978, p.3.
36. This was reflected in the conferences concerned with political economy and with the foundation of the Journal of Australian Political Economy. 25. 'Political Declaration', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June 1978, p.80.
37. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, October 1976, p. 4.
38. 'Research', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June 1978, p. 91
39. L. Carmichael, The 1980s and the Unions', Monthly Journal, January 1980, p. 5.
40. Rank-and-file activity was emphasised as the aim of the AMWU leadership in M. Ogden, 'Some Views on the British Labour Movement', Monthly Journal, April 1979, p. 31
41. J. Jones, Trade Unionism in the Seventies', Monthly Journal, April 1972, p. 20.
42. D. Scott, 'President's Report', Monthly Journal, August 1976, p. 3
43. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, October 1976, p. 4
44. J.D. Garland, 'Important Role of Shop Stewards', Monthly Journal, January 1974, p. 7.
45. E. Davis, 'Decision-Making in the Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights' Union', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol.19, no.4, December 1977, p. 363.
46. P. Huntley, Inside Australia's Largest Trade Union, Ian Huntley Pty Ltd, n.d. [1978], p. x.
47. This list of activities was conducted at a NSW shop stewards' school: 'Our Shop Stewards Go to School', Monthly Journal, April 1973, p. 22.
48. J. Halfpenny, 'Victorian State Report', Monthly Journal, July 1974, p. 13
49. J. Vaughan, 'South Australian State Report', Monthly Journal, April 1975, p. 8.
50. R. Scott, 'Urgent! Consider Claims Now for 1975 Award Negotiations', Monthly Journal, December 1974, p. 21.
51. J.D. Garland, 'Commonwealth Office Report', Monthly Journal, February 1975, p. 3.
52. L. Carmichael, 'Defend Living Standards - Defend the Union (Speakers' Notes)', Monthly Journal, November 1976, p. 13
53. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, January 1976, p. 4.
54. 'Some decisions of the National Council held in Sydney, June 21-22, 1977', Monthly Journal, August 1977, p. 30.
55. 'Education', Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Second Commonwealth Conference, 30th May to 7th June 1974, p. 80
56. B. Richardson, 'Press Statement', Monthly Journal, August 1975, p.24
57. B. Carr, 'AMWSU Enters Electronic Age', Bulletin, 23 January, 1979, p.32.
58. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, March 1977, p. 4.
59. L. Carmichael, 'Defend Living Standards - Defend the Union (Speakers' Notes)', Monthly Journal, November 1976, p. 13
60. J.D. Garland, 'Shop Stewards' Regional Meeting and Regional Councils', Monthly Journal, June 1978, p. 18
61. L. Carmichael, 'Activity of Shop Stewards' Councils', Monthly Journal, July 1977, pp. 21-3.
62. For example, it began posting the Amalgamated News directly to members - 'National Publications Committee Report', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June, 1978, p.70
63. 'Place your story any hour, any day', Monthly Journal, November 1976, p.16
64. 'Some Decisions of the Commonwealth Council', Monthly Journal, November 1975, p.18.
65. D. Scott, 'President's Report', Monthly Journal, May 1980, p. 3.
66. B. Hayden, 'Letters', The Metal Worker, vol. 1, no. 2, July 1980, p. 2.
67. Scanlon lectured in 1975, Holland in 1977.
68. 'Seminar on Manufacturing Industry Crisis', Monthly Journal, May 1977, p. 21
69. 'Save Australian Manufacturing Industry' Seminar', Monthly Journal, October 1977, p. 10
70. G. Campbell, 'Steel Industry', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June 1978, p. 26.
71. J. Hutson, Inflation - the Silent Robber, Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union, 1974.
72. Amalgamated Metal Workers' Union, The Multi-National Menace, September 1973.
73. T. O'Lincoln, Years of Rage: Social Conflicts in the Fraser Era, Bookmarks Australia, Melbourne, 1993, pp. 192-3.
74. J.D. Garland, 'National Office Report', Monthly Journal, September 1977, p. 5
75. 'Parliament Argues Over "Ripped Off", Monthly Journal, June 1979, p. 19
76. the publication contained contributions by a number of ALP Shadow Ministers; Australia on the Rack, AMWSU, Surry Hills, 1982.
77. For example, Australia Ripped Off was reviewed by the Age 18 April 1979.
78. 'Editorial - Dangerous Propaganda', IPA Review, vol. 33, no. 2, April/June 1979, pp. 21-22.
79. J. Baird, 'In Defence of an Industry - In Defence of Jobs!', Monthly Journal, September 1977, p. 18
80. J. Halfpenny, 'Economic Strategy for 1978 - A Trade Union Point of View', Monthly Journal, February 1978, p. 23.
81. Space constraints prevent a full discussion of the AMWU campaign for the social wage. A measure of the importance of this campaign is that Prime Minister Bob Hawke was to claim (hyperbolically) in 1984 that the union 'devised the concept of the social wage' - 'Address by Bob Hawke Prime Minister of Australia', Amalgamated Metals Foundry and Shipwrights' Union, 1984 Biennial National Conference, Addresses, Reports, Decisions, p. 12.
82. L. Carmichael, 'A Counter Strategy to Trans-National Corporation Domination and a Transitional Program to Socialism', Monthly Journal, October 1977, p. 20
83. L. Carmichael, 'Notes on Industrial Democracy', Monthly Journal, October 1976, pp. 13-4.
84. A number of articles by British participants in this process were reprinted, for example D. Elliot, 'Alternatives to the Dole', Monthly Journal, December 1976, pp. 13-4.
85. 'Editorial Comment', Australian Left Review, no. 41, August 1973, p. 4
86. 'Symposium - Workers' Control', Australian Left Review, no. 41, August 1973
87. W. Higgins and R. Durbridge, The Politics of Workers' Control', Australian Left Review, no. 41, August 1973
88. B. Taft, 'Post-War Industrial Policy', Australian Left Review, December-January 1971
89. J. Palmada, 'Issues of Industrial Strategy', Australian Left Review, July 1971.
90. This is despite a comment from the editor soliciting responses to the article - G. Phelan, The Wages Debate in Focus', Monthly Journal, December 1974, pp. 18, 32.
91. J. Baird, 'Manufacturing (1976-77) Industry Review', Monthly Journal, November 1978, p. 20
92. J. Halfpenny, 'Employment in the 1980s', Monthly Journal, March 1979, p. 19.
93. J. Baird, 'Industrial Democracy Seminar May 29 to June 2, hosted by the South Australian Government (Address)', Monthly Journal, July 1978, p. 14.
94. L. Carmichael, The Turin Auto Industry Conference', Monthly Journal, May 1978, pp. 9-10.
95. 'Information available on these companies', Monthly Journal, June 1978, p. 16
96. L. Carmichael, 'Research Department Report', Amalgamated Metal Workers' and Shipwrights' Union, Addresses, Reports and Decisions of the Biennial National Conference, 19-23 June 1978, p. 66.
97. We are indebted to Tim Rowse for generously lending his copies of Link newsletters, and for providing an account of the group's trajectory in Sydney. The growth of the Sydney group out of its Melbourne precursor is noted in 'What is link?', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin (Sydney), [n.d.], no. 26, p. 2.
98. The importance of Paris 1968 and worker control to the Link group is noted in 'May Day', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin (Sydney), [n.d.], no. 12, p. 2.
99. This aspiration is continually expressed in the pages of the newsletter, for example: 'Introducing Link', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin, [n.d.], no. 1, p. 2
100. The Selling of 2HD', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin, [n.d.], no. 19, p. 11.
101. It could be argued that this process of rank-and-file vetting of intellectual labour represents a useful, sadly neglected model of intellectual-worker relationships within the labour movement as a whole. The process is sketched out in 'What is link', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin (Sydney), [n.d.J, no. 26, p. 3.
102. For example, the Victorian newsletter was authorised by the AMWU branches in Coburg, Essendon Heidelberg, Preston and Ringwood; its Sydney counterpart was authorised by the Granville and Cumberland branches of the AMWU. The importance of shop stewards was emphasised in The award, the 35 hour week, and the shop stewards' councils - an interview', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin (Sydney), [n.d.], no. 20, p. 3.
103. The policy of intervention was itself explicitly raised in an interview with union official, Jim Baird in 'Jim Baird continues... on automation and social need', Link: Western Suburbs Metal Workers Bulletin (Sydney), [n.d.], no. 17, p.9.
104. 'Why Industry Projects?', TransNational Brief, no. 1, March 1980, p. 19
105. L. Carmichael, Trans National Co-operative', Monthly Journal, August 1979, p. 7.
106. 'Setting up a Project Group', TransNational Brief, no. 1, March 1980, p. 13.
107. 'OK...What Do We Do Now?', TransNational Brief, no. 1, March 1980, p. 2.
108. 'Shop Stewards Face the IAC, TransNational Brief, no. 1, March 1980, pp. 10-12.
109. J. Baird, 'Manufacturing (1976-77) Industry Review', Monthly Journal, November 1978, p. 18.
110. L. Carmichael, 'Reports from National Officials', Monthly Journal, March 1979, p. 10.
111. D. Miller, 'Meeting of Auto Unions', Metal Worker, vol. 2, no. 1, February 1980, p.6
112. 'Fitters Fight Tobacco Firm', Metal Worker, vol. 3, no. 5, June 1982, p. 4.
113. D. Miller, 'Issue Taken With Mundey's View', Metal Worker, vol. 1, no. 5, October 1980, 4
114. N. McLellan, 'Occupation Saves Jot?, Wins Higher Payout', Metal Worker, vol. 3 no. 11, December 1982, p. 6
115. 'National Action Decisive in Retrenchment Strike', Metal Worker, vol. 4 no. 1, February 1983, p.6
116. 'Factory Occupations Win Redundancy Pay for 100', Metal Worker, vol. 4, no. 3, May 1983, p. 4
117. P. Cockroft, 'Lightning Strikes Save 540 Steel Jobs', Metal Worker, vol. 3, no. 11, December 1982, p.6.
118. W. Higgins and R. Durbidge, The Politics of Workers' Control', Australian Left Review, no. 41, August 1973, p. 27.
119. Compare T. O'Lincoln, Years of Rage: Social Conflicts in the Fraser Era, Bookmarks Australia, 1993, p. 194
120. L. Carmichael, 'Strategy for a Shorter Working Week', Monthly Journal, February 1980, p. 17
121. J. Halfpenny paraphrased in 'Metal Workers Campaign Ends 40 Hour Week Era', Metal Worker, vol. 3, no. 3, April 1982, p. 1.
122. E. Davis, 'Decision-Making in the Amalgamated Metal Workers and Shipwrights' Union', p. 354.
123. P. Huntley, Inside Australia's Largest Trade Union, p. 20
124. J. Hearn, 'Australian Trade Unionism in 1980', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol. 23, no. 1, March 1981, p. 64
125. J. Hearn, 'Australian Trade Unionism in 1981', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol. 24, no. 1, March 1982, p. 101.
126. T. O'Lincoln, Years of Rage, p. 213
127. B. Carr, 'AMWSU Dissidents Up Against the Big Guns', Bulletin, 15thjunel982, p.41.
128. J. Hearn, 'Back to Basics: Australian Unionism 1982', Journal of Industrial Relations, vol. 25, no. 1, March 1983, p.92.
129. B. Carr, 'Communists Query the Effectiveness of Strike Action', Bulletin, 15 June, 1982, p.42.
130. 'Supplement: 1982 AMWSU National Conference decisions for ratification, August 1982', Metal Worker, vol. 3, no. 7, August 1982, pp. 2, 10.
131. The pivotal role of the AMWU in the formation of the Accord is noted in Frank Stilwell, The Accord...And Beyond, Pluto Press, Sydney and London, 1986, p. 8
132. Peter Ewer (et al.), Politics and the Accord, Pluto Press, Sydney, 1991, p. 17.
133. W. Hayden, Commonwealth Parliamentary Debates, House of Representatives, 24 August 1982, 854.
134. Australia On the Rack, p. 28.
135. Statement of Accord by the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Council of Trade Unions Regarding Economic Policy, February 1983, pp. 17-18, 22.
136. L. Carmichael, 'Unions Take a New Course', Metal Worker, vol. 4, no. 2, April 1983, p. 10
137. L. Carmichael, 'Stronger Stand on Accord', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 2, March 1984, p. 2.
138. B. Mountford, 'Economic Notes: A Wages and Incomes Policy', Australian Left Review, no. 79, March 1982, p. 38
139. 'Viewpoint...A response to Labor's 1982 Conference', Australian Left Review, no. 81, September 1982
140. B. Aarons, 'Labor Rules OK?', Australian Left Review, no. 83, Autumn 1983, p. 2.
141. D. Scott, 'Editorial: ALP - the voice of the worker in Parliament', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 9, October 1984, p. 2
142. L. Carmichael, 'Unions Take a New Course', p. 10.
143. 'Unions Re-Affirm their Support for Accord', Metal Worker, vol. 4, no. 3, May 1983, p. 1.
144. L. Carmichael, 'Prices and incomes Accord', Amalgamated Metals Foundry and Shipwrights' Union, 1984 Biennial National Conference, Addresses, Reports, Decisions, p. 49.
145. L. Carmichael, 'Industry Policy and Employment', Amalgamated Metals Foundry and Shipwrights' Union, 1984 Biennial National Conference, Addresses, Reports, Decisions, p. 51
146. D. Scott, 'Foreword', Amalgamated Metals Foundry and Shipwrights' Union, 1984 Biennial National Conference, Addresses, Reports, Decisions, p. 3.
147. L. Carmichael, 'Industry Policy and Employment', p. 55
148. 'Import Cuts for 84, 000 Jobs', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 6, July 1984, p. 9.
149. 'Special Lift-Out Manufacturing Industry', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 6, July 1984, pp. 9-12.
150. 'A Plan for Recovery', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 9, October 1984, p. 7.
151. 'Industry and Jobs Priority for 1985', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 11, December 1984, p. 1.
152. The Steel and Aircraft industries were models: Australia On the Brink, National Metal Unions' Campaign Committee, 1985, pp. 12-5.
153. 'Campaign for Jobs', Metal Worker, vol. 6, no. 2, March 1985, p. 1.
154. 'Manufacturing Jobs - Not Excuses', Metal Worker, vol. 6, no. 3, April 1985, p. 3
155. 'Now Time for Results on Industry Policy', Metal Worker: Special Issue: ACTU Congress 1985, vol. 6, no. 9, October 1985.
156. 'Unions' Win Changes to ALP Industry Policy', Metal Worker, vol. 5, no. 7, August 1984
157. J. Macbean, Australian Labor Party 37th Biennial National Conference, Hobart, July 1986, p. 191
158. 'MP Calls for Protection of Industry', Metal Worker, vol 5, no. 11, December 1984, p. 4
159. 'Aid for Industry Urgent: NSW ALP', Metal Worker, vol. 6, no. 6, July 1985, p. 7.
160. D. Sutherland, 'Metal Fatigue', Australian Left Review, no. 85, Spring 1983, p. 29
161. C. Bulbeck, 'Life Under Labor - 3', Australian Left Review, no. 86, Summer 1983, p. 25
162. P. Robson, The Accord and Social Welfare: Current Results and Outlook', Australian Left Review, no. 88, Winter 1984, p. 7.
163. M. Ogden, The Accord: Intervening to Deepen the Democratic Process', Australian Left Review, no. 90, Summer 1984, p. 26.
164. P. Botsman, 'Rethinking the Class Struggle', Arena, no. 82, 1988, pp. 45-6.
165. Australia Reconstructed: ACTU/TDC Mission to Western Europe, AGPS, Canberra, 1987.