Great Maritime Strike

The Great Maritime Strike of 1890 was a significant labor confrontation that occurred in both Australia and New Zealand. It involved seamen and wharf laborers, and also extended to shearers and coal miners. This strike was a major test of strength between newly formed, large, and militant industrial unions and their employers.1

The strike began during a period when the economy was shifting from a boom to a prolonged depression. Heavy unemployment weakened the unions' position, and the maritime strike was ultimately broken. This was followed by further defeats for shearers and miners in the early 1890s. The industrial defeats led unions to focus more intensely on political action, contributing to the rise of Labour parties in Australia and New Zealand.1

Interestingly, the 1889 London Dock Strike, which was a major victory for British dockworkers, received crucial financial support from Australia, demonstrating a connection between labor movements in the "New World" and the "Old World".21