A history of the Amalgamated Engineering Union (Australian Section), 1920-1954

Th first Chapter of his thesis shows that engineers were employed on all sectors of the economy . Within the engineering industry craftsmen retained their predominant position throughout the first half of the century despite the increasing numbers of semi-skilled workers. The A.E.U., in contrast to its British parent union, readily opened its ranks to all newcomers to the industry but was still craftdominated in the 1950 . At the same time the importance of the friendly society aspects of the A.E.U. diminished continually and 'Industrial ' members, entitled only to strike pay, formed a majority at the outbreak of the Second World War. In succeeding years they came to represent 70 per cent of total membership