Striking Ore

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Pilbara iron ore industry was a bastion of militant unionism 'union power'. Today, it is almost completely un-unionised.

Labour historian and industrial relations scholar Alexis Vassiley charts the rise and fall of this union power over the decades. He explores the hard-won breakthroughs workers made in pay, conditions and safety, and analyses the conflict between rank-and-file unionists and trade union officials that drove tension between the two groups. He examines how the strength of the unions was undone, delving into the Robe River dispute, and looks at the consequences of the loss of unionism today, including mental health issues and sexual harassment.

Based on archival research and interviews with participants, including rank-and-file union members, shop stewards and organisers, Striking Ore centres the actions of workers themselves to answer the questions of how this union power came about, what it meant for the workers and their communities, how it was destroyed and what is the legacy of the unions' defeat.