Maritime Strike took place in Australia in 1890. It was the first widespread strike in Australia, and it was fought with great bitterness. During the 1880’s, the labor unions had achieved remarkable growth. Many unskilled and semiskilled workers joined unions, some of which were extremely militant. The Maritime Strike involved large numbers of workers throughout eastern Australia. The unions called for the recognition of unionism. The employers, on the other hand, insisted on their right to hire anyone they chose. As large sections of industry became idle, the governments of the affected colonies used troops and special police against the strikers. The ensuing social battle affected the whole community. The unions were defeated, and the strikers returned to work on their employers’ conditions. See Strike .
