Biographical entry Carr, Kenneth Francis (1929 - )

Summary

Ken Carr was State Secretary of the Federated Furnishing Trades Society, Victorian Branch 1969-1984 and Federal Secretary 1970-1984. He also worked for an international union organisation and was Secretary of the Sunraysia Trades and Labour Council 1996-2002. He was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal in 2003. During the 'Trades Hall split' he was spokesperson for the 'rebel unions' as Secretary of the Trades Hall Administrative and Financial Review Committee. The rebel unions broke away from the Victorian Trades Hall Council in 1967 over union representation on the Council and increased affiliation fees. The dispute continued until 1973 and the rebel unions instigated a broadening of union involvement in non-industrial political
and environmental issues during this period. These included the first Green Bans and union support of the anti Vietnam War movement. Ken Carr was a leader of the Vietnam Moratoriums.The split was also related to factionalism within the Australian Labor Party.

Archival resources

The University of Melbourne Archives

• Carr, Kenneth Francis - Records, 1965 - 1981, 2003.00106; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details