Fremantle Lumpers Union

The Fremantle Lumpers Union was a trade union formed in 1889^[2][3] and active until 1946 when it became part of the Waterside Workers' Federation, Fremantle Branch. It was the first union to represent unskilled workers formed in Western Australia.^[3][4]

Sailing ships Fremantle Harbour 1899

Thomas Edwards' funeral cortege outside Fremantle Trades Hall^[1]

The union was formed in 1889 to represent unskilled workers on the Fremantle wharves when the Adelaide Lumpers' Union started a recruiting drive to the west. Many workers joined, thought to be inspired by the London Dock strike of 1889 and the solidarity shown between the workers.^[3] The inaugural secretary of the union was Mr. Clifford.

The president of the Union in 1890 was Arthur James Diamond, the vice-president was T. Smith, and the secretary was J. Scott.^[5] Diamond left the union in 1891 to head to the eastern states of Australia.^[6]

J.P. Rasmussen was the secretary of the union in 1895.^[7] The lumpers went on strike in 1899^[8] as a result of non-union labour being used on the wharf;^[9] the strike lasted for over four weeks.^[10] Rasmussen remained as secretary until 1899 when he left the position.^[11]

The union was involved in the 1919 Fremantle Wharf riot when the state had been isolated by an outbreak of the influenza virus and a waterside workers strike. Premier Hal Colebatch, had intervened in a dispute involving the unloading of a coastal trader, SS Dimboola. The violence escalated when Lumpers Union members threw missiles at a launch carrying Colebatch and strikebreakers who were attempting to start unloading the vessel. Police retaliated and shots were fired. During the violence a lumper named Tom Edwards was fatally injured and died three days later.^[12]

In 1910 the Lumpers Union joined the Waterside Workers' Federation but broke way again in 1933 following a dispute with the Federation executive over collection of union dues. They reaffiliated in 1946.^[3]

In Fremantle Cemetery there are 39 headstones that were erected by, or with assistance from, the Union.^[13]