In 1975 the first trade union formed in

Christmas Island Christmas Island, officially the Territory of Christmas Island, is an Australian external territory comprising the island of the same name. It is located in the Indian Ocean, around south of Java and Sumatra and around north-west of the ...

, a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean, called the Union of Christmas Island Workers (UCIW) representing workers in the island's phosphate mines and administrative workers (other than police and teachers). During the 1970s and 1980s the UCIW secured wage parity with workers in Australia, rights to Australian citizenship for workers, democratic representation and local government, improved housing and community facilities and promoted community integration. The UCIW is affiliated to the

Australian Council of Trade Unions The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), originally the Australasian Council of Trade Unions, is the largest peak body representing workers in Australia. It is a national trade union centre of 46 affiliated unions and eight trades and l ...

(ACTU).

References

Labour in Christmas Island {{ChristmasIsland-stub