Builders Labourers Federation

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The Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) was an Australian trade union organisation which existed from 1911 until 1972, and from 1976 until 1986, when it was permanently deregistered in various Australian States by the federal Labor government and some state governments of the time. This occurred when the union refused to give undertakings that it would not seek wage rises outsde the Prices and Incomes accord set out by the Hawke government.About the same time ,the Federal Secretary, Norm Gallagher was gaoled for contempt of court arising out of some building materials delivered to his beach house. Today former BLF members are members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).

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[edit] Social and economic justice

The BLF fought successful campaigns which became known as the green bans against development projects which it viewed as harmful to the built and natural environment of Sydney. These campaigns included blocking plans to redevelop The Rocks area, Kelly's Bush in Hunters Hill and Centennial Park (in anticipation for the 2000 Olympics, in the 1980s). The Green Bans are now commonly recognised as directly responsible for saving areas of Sydney with substantial heritage value. They also took up other causes, such as Aboriginal rights, anti-war campaigns and support for pensioners. The BLF had a long standing programme on Radio 3CR, 'The Concrete Gang', which is now presented by the CFMEU. One of the original announcers for the BLF was John Cummins.

[edit] BLF in Queenland

The BLF currently exists in Queensland as a State registered union (known as the Australian Building Construction Employees and Builders' Labourers' Federation (Queensland Branch) Union of Employees). This branch is also transitionally registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. It is also a part of the Construction division of the CFMEU. Whilst the Queensland BLF was a part of the National BLF prior to the de-registration, it was not as radical or militant as the branches in Victoria and New South Wales were perceived to be.

Whilst the BLF is usually associated with the left of the political spectrum, the Queensland BLF has historically been aligned with the centre-right of the Australian Labor Party. The Queensland BLF is a member of the Labor Unity faction which is sometimes referred to as the Old Guard. The Labor Unity Faction often votes with the "right" faction (also known as the AWU or Forum faction) at State Labor Conferences.

[edit] Slogan

The BLF slogan is Dare to struggle, Dare to win.

[edit] See also

Organized Labour Portal

[edit] References

  • Inside the BLF: a union self-destructs by Brian Boyd, Melbourne, Vic. : Ocean, (1991). ISBN 1875284443
  • Builders' Labourers' Song Book Published by Widescape International and the BLF, 1975. ISBN 0869320106

[edit] External links