Transport Workers Act 1928

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In 1928 the Nationalist Commonwealth Government of Stanley Bruce passed the Transport Workers Act which stipulated the engagement, service and discharge of wharfies who now had to have a license, known as the dog collar, to work. The Australian labour movement nicknamed this the Dog-collar act.

The Act was introduced by the Bruce Government just before the 1928 Federal election after Justice Beeby had handed down the 1928 Waterside Workers Award which worsened many hard won conditions and privileges of waterside workers. Spontaneous strikes occurred around Australia, with riots in Melbourne, resulting in injuries and arrests and the death of Alan Whittaker, a Gallipoli veteran and trade union member, who was shot by police.

Non union labour was brought in to the wharves and a "bosses union" called the Permanent & Casual Wharf Labourers Union of Australia was set up, which almost killed the Waterside Workers Federation (now known as the Maritime Union of Australia).

The Federal government used the act to attack unionism under the guise of freedom of contract. This legislation stimulated the consolidation of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, formed in 1927.