Builders Labourers Federation

The Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) was an Australian trade union organisation which existed from 1911 until 1972, and from 1976 until 1986, when it was permanently deregistered in various Australian States by the federal Labor government and some state governments of the time. [ [http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/ActCompilation1.nsf/framelodgmentattachments/486697AD2D85917FCA25713E007D6843 ComLaw Act Compilations - Attachment - Builders Labourers' Federation (Cancellation of Registration—Consequential Provisions) Act 1986 ] ] This occurred in the wake of a Royal Commission into corruption by the Union. About the same time, BLF Federal Secretary, Norm Gallagher was gaoled for corrupt dealings after receiving bribes from building companies which he used to build a beach house [ [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s47029.htm PM - Union boss Norm Gallagher dies at 68 ] ] Today former BLF members are members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).

ocial and economic justice

The BLF fought successful campaigns which became known as the green bans against development projects which it viewed as harmful to the built and natural environment of Sydney. These campaigns included blocking plans to redevelop The Rocks area, Kelly's Bush in Hunters Hill and Centennial Park (in anticipation for the 2000 Olympics, in the 1980s). The Green Bans are now commonly recognised as directly responsible for saving areas of Sydney with substantial heritage value. They also took up other causes, such as Aboriginal rights, anti-war campaigns and support for pensioners. The BLF had a long standing programme on Radio 3CR, 'The Concrete Gang', which is now presented by the CFMEU. One of the original announcers for the BLF was John Cummins.

BLF in Queensland

The BLF currently exists in Queensland as a State registered union (known as the "Australian Building Construction Employees and Builders' Labourers' Federation (Queensland Branch) Union of Employees"). This branch is also transitionally registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. It is also a part of the Construction division of the CFMEU. Whilst the Queensland BLF was a part of the National BLF prior to the de-registration, it was not as radical or militant as the branches in Victoria and New South Wales were perceived to be.

Whilst the BLF is usually associated with the left of the political spectrum, the Queensland BLF has historically been aligned with the centre-right of the Australian Labor Party. The Queensland BLF is a member of the Labor Unity faction which is sometimes referred to as the Old Guard. The Labor Unity Faction often votes with the "right" faction (also known as the AWU or Forum faction) at State Labor Conferences.

logan

The BLF slogan is "Dare to struggle, Dare to win".

ee also

*Green ban
*Jack Mundey

References

* "Inside the BLF: a union self-destructs" by Brian Boyd, Melbourne, Vic. : Ocean, (1991). ISBN 1875284443
* "Builders' Labourers' Song Book" Published by Widescape International and the BLF, 1975. ISBN 0869320106

External links

* [http://www.vulgar.com.au/renton.html Book Review: Liz Ross, "Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win": Builders Labourers Fight Deregistration 1981-1994]
* [http://www.cfmeu.asn.au/construction/history/green.html Green Bans: Campaigns to Protect the Environment]
* [http://www.atua.org.au/biogs/ALE0132b.htm Australian Trade Union Archives entry: Australian Builders Labourers Federation (1911 - 1972)]
* [http://www.blfq.org The Queensland BLF website] - BLF branch not deregistered in 1986
* [http://www.workersliberty.org/node/3805 How to build a trade union - an article on the BLF in Queensland]