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Trade Union entry Mutual Services Association (1884 - 1900)

From
1884
Victoria
To
1900
Functions
Trade Union (State or Territory only)

Summary

Formed predominantly by railway workforce labourers in 1884, the Mutual Services Association [MSA] looked to incorporate the various trades and crafts within the industry in a single powerful railway union, but remained largely unsuccessful in this attempt. Throughout the 1890s, the MSA retained a high rate of membership considering the times.

The Mutual Services Association changed its name in 1900 to the Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees [ASRE]. In 1911 the ASRE and cognate organisations voted overwhelmingly to form a united Victorian Railways Union which, in 1921 became the Victorian Branch of the Australian Railways Union [ARU]. In 1993 the ARU merged with other unions to form the Australian Rail Tram & Bus Industry Union.

Timeline

 1884 - 1900 Mutual Services Association
       1900 - 1911 Amalgamated Society of Railway Employees
             1911 - 1921 Victorian Railways Union
                   1921 - 1993 Australian Railways Union
                         1993 - Australian Rail Tram & Bus Industry Union

Archival resources

The University of Melbourne Archives

  • Australian Railways Union, Victorian Branch - Records, 1899 - 1975, 1988.0072; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details
  • Australian Railways Union, Victorian Branch - Records, 1892 - 1972, 1985.0097; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details
  • Australian Railways Union, Victorian Branch - Records, 1887 - 1975, 1979.0130; The University of Melbourne Archives. Details

Bruce A. Smith