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In 1791 Convicts went on strike, demanding daily issue of rations, not weekly issue. In 1822 James Straighter, a convict shepherd was sentenced to 500 lashes, one month solitary confinement on bread and water, and five years penal servitude for ... "inciting his Masters' servants to combine for the purposes of obliging him to raise the wages and increase their rations". Ever since then workers have been acting collectively to improve their wages and conditions. For further information go to the History of Unions section of the ACTU website.
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