In this article Laurie Carmichael explains the reasons for the late 1970’s surge in popular support for a shorter working week, starting with the demand for a 35 hour week.

He traces the history of the demand in the union movement, describes the immediate developments unfolding at the time and the drive coming from workers themselves, and reviews the “political economy” of the time. In that he covers the key points:  impending recession, “structural adjustment” undermining Australian manufacturing, other dimensions of economic and environmental crisis, and of course technological change. This campaign proceeded over a few years and featured highly effective communication and education tools, strategic continuity and flexible tactical adjustments.

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Commentary

These 4 pages from "The Metal Worker" cover the start and culmination of the winning of the 38-hour week through to 1981. Although reduced working hours had been or were being achieved here and there, June 1980 marked the serious escalation of the struggle into a general, national achievement for all Australian workers. The changes to the Metal Industry Award set the standard for flow-on to all other awards over the next few years. The 38-hour week framework now lives on in the Manufacturing and Associated Industries Award.

Laurie Carmichael led this struggle at the national level, regularly visiting capital and regional cities for mass meetings and shop stewards’ meetings.

The 38-hour week form was brought on by workplace victories that established a monthly long weekend and, the threat of the 1982 recession to the effective continuity of the campaign.

Note that the struggle delivered a significant wage increase with the 38 hours in the early stages of the recession supervised by the then Fraser Liberal government.

• Don Sutherland