This is a replica of the original badge worn to work on 18 January 1912 by members of the Australian Tramways Employees Association.  The assertion of their right to belong to a union led to their dismissal and triggered Queensland’s first General Strike.  This commemorative badge was struck by the Queensland Council of Unions as part of a ‘wear your union badge’ campaign 18-30 January 2012 and to honour union members who took a stand for unionism in Queensland one hundred years ago.  Union-wide celebrations were held in Brisbane in February 2012, including a rally on 2 February to mark Black Friday, a day of violent clashes between police and demonstrators.

Joan Bruce - Queensland Literature Coordinator, State Library of Queensland