Century of Tailoresses UnionPrint Page

The plaque commemorates the centenary of the Tailoresses Union.

The Tailoresses’ Association of Melbourne, Australia’s first female trade union was established at a meeting held in Trades Hall on 15 December 1882. At this meeting women met in response to the Melbourne clothing manufacturer Beith Shiess & Co attempts to reduce piece-rate wages. A strike was later called, on 15 February 1883, when clothing manufacturers had not responded to the log of claims.

As each manufacturer accepted the log, employees resumed work. The strike is generally regarded as instrumental in the establishment of the Shops Commission and the eventual passage of the Factory Act. When the new Factory Act was passed in 1885, the recommendations, of the March 1884 Royal Commission, regarding outwork were not incorporated and working conditions in the industry were not substantially affected by its operation. In 1906, the Tailoresses’ Union amalgamated with the Tailors’ Society.

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