Australian Public Service Artisans Association

Description

Agent TypeOrganisationActivities & OccupationsTrade UnionsPublic servantsHistoryThe Australian Public Service Artisans' Association (APSAA) was formed in Melbourne in late 1915 by skilled tradesmen employed by the General Post Office. Motivated by a sense of the importance of their skills and the nature of government employment they rejected overtures to join the general postal workers' union and established this independent union. World War 1 had precipitated the growth of new industries, many with considerable government involvement or assistance, and unionism spread through the Australian government workforce. Within years of its establishment, the APSAA began to organise government artisans in departments and agencies other than the GPO with considerable success. In order to consolidate these gains and to specify its areas of recruitment, the union successfully sought Federal registration in 1920. The union also changed its name to the Commonwealth Public Service Artisans' Association, both in recognition of its geographical expansion and its extended representation among Federal departments and enterprises. After World War 11 the union again became the Australian Public Service Artisans' Asociation. Following a period of active negotiations, the APSAA merged with the Association of Draughting, Supervisory and Technical Employees (ADSTE) in 1986.

Accession

University of Melbourne Archives

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Australian Public Service Artisans Association