The Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union (FMWUl commonly known as the 'Missos') was an Australian

trade union A trade union (British English) or labor union (American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers whose purpose is to maintain or improve the conditions of their employment, such as attaining better wages ...

from 1915 to 1992. It represented an extremely diverse and disparate range of occupations, but its core support came from workers employed in

cleaning Cleaning is the process of removing unwanted substances, such as dirt, infectious agents, and other impurities, from an object or environment. Cleaning is often performed for beauty, aesthetic, hygiene, hygienic, Function (engineering), function ...

and security services. The union merged with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form United Voice in 1992.

Formation

The union was first established on 6 May 1910 as the Watchmen, Caretakers and Cleaners Union of New South Wales (WCCU), which was created by the Organising Committee of the New South Wales Labor Council. The task of organisation was a difficult one due to the casualised and isolated nature of the occupations covered. Under the leadership of the first Secretary of the WCCU, Joe Coote, the union adopted a pragmatic approach to increasing union membership by including any workers not already represented by trade unions, such as paintmaking employees. To reflect the growing range of industries represented in 1915 the union changed its name to the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union.

Growth

After steady growth over the first half of the century, including winning paid

sick leave Sick leave (or paid sick days or sick pay) is paid time off from work that workers can use to stay home to address their health needs without losing pay. It differs from paid vacation time or time off work to deal with personal matters, because ...

annual leave Annual leave, also known as statutory leave, is a period of paid time off work granted by employers to employees to be used for whatever the employee wishes. Depending on the employer's policies, differing number of days may be offered, and th ...

and a forty-hour week, the union really took off in the 1950s. A new rank-and-file leadership led by Ray Gietzelt took over to create a vibrant, member-driven union. Famous campaigns during the 1950s and 60s included organising workers paid to be

Santa Claus Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Chris ...

es at

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

and a group of dance instructors who were locked out for four months before winning their jobs back. In the late 1960s the FMWU absorbed the membership of the defunct

Australian Leather and Allied Trades Employees' Federation The Australian Leather and Allied Trades Employees' Federation (ALATEF) was an Australian trade union A trade union (British English) or labor union (American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers who ...

. The strength of the "Missos" grew over these years, with membership increasing from 25,000 in 1955 to 88,000 by 1975. Ray Gietzelt remained General Secretary from 1955 to 1984.

Amalgamation

In 1992 the FMWU amalgamated with the Federated Liquor and Allied Industries Employees' Union of Australia to form the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union (LHMU), later renamed United Voice. In 2019 United Voice merged with the National Union of Workers (NUW) to form the United Workers Union (UWU). Now the largest private-sector union in Australia.

References

External links

United Voice
The website of United Voice, the successor to the Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union. {{Authority control Defunct trade unions of Australia Trade unions established in 1910 Trade unions disestablished in 1992 General unions 1910 establishments in Australia 1992 disestablishments in Australia