Our History

Newcastle and Northern History

The Union has a long and proud history of representing workers in the Newcastle and Northern part of New South Wales.

The Meat Workers Union of New South Wales, Newcastle and Northern Branch was first registered under the Trade Union Act, 1881-1936 on 22nd January, 1918. The Registered Office of the Union was located at Trades Hall Council, Hunter Street Newcastle. The Union changed it's name several times between 1919 and 1952.

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union, Newcastle and Northern Branch becoming the name registered under the NSW Trade Union Act and the Industrial Arbitration Act. The Union's Registered Office at that time was Federation House, Union Street, Newcastle.

Newcastle and Northern Branch Office 34 Union Street, Newcastle West Opened by Albert Allsop July 31, 1973

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union, Newcastle and Northern Branch is registered under the Industrial Relations Act, 1996 and has owned it's own building known as 'Union House', located at 34 Union Street, Newcastle West since early 1970.

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union, Newcastle and Northern Branch is also a branch of the Australasian Meat Industry employees' Union Federal council which is registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996.

The Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union Federal Council registered office is located in Sydney. The Federal Secretary is Brian Crawford, Federal President is Grant Courtney. Federal Executive is comprised of each State Branch Secretary and meets on a regular basis, at least every 3 months. Federal Council is comprised of 2 Delegates and Branch Secretary from each State Branch and meets every two years.

From the early 1900's the Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union (Newcastle and Northern Branch) provided a service to members in the Newcastle and northern region covering all aspects of the meat slaughtering, poultry processing, retail industries, ice and cold storage, smallgoods and dairy industries.

The Union currently represents workers employed in meat processing (abattoirs), poultry processing, boning rooms, retail and supermarket meat rooms, smallgoods, cold storage and dairy. The Union's constitutional coverage is vast and is described in the Union's rules.

The Australian Meat Industry Employees Union Newcastle Northern Constitution covers:-

The butchering and meat industry; any kindred industry handling the products of the meat industry; meat, game and rabbit canning preserving works; fish preserving work; the handling and treating of the by-products, edible and non edible of the meat industry; freezing, refrigerating, ice or cold storage works or chambers; the killing and dressing of poultry; whole milk receival and treatment plants other than plants which receive, treat and retail milk only; condensed, dried, malted milk and/or casein factories, (other than factories exclusively manufacturing malted milk) and factories manufacturing similar products; butter, cheese and/or bacon factories; smallgoods manufacturies; the pulping and/or drying of eggs; piggeries at or in connection with abattoirs, meatworks and/or slaughterhouse; the receiving, yarding and drafting of stock at saleyards and the delivery of stock therefrom; and all work in connection with any of the foregoing.

Within the County of Northumberland, and that part of the State north of the said county and bounded on the west by the railway line from Singleton to Walgett (and including all towns on such railway line from Singleton to Walgett) and thence by a line running due north to the New south Wales - Queensland border, thence on the north by such border to the coastline, and thence on the east by the coastline southwards to the north-eastern extremity of the County of Cumberland, and in all towns on the railway line from Muswellbrook to Merriwa inclusive, and who are admitted as members of the Union.

The Union is proud to have been instrumental in the establishment of the National Meat Industry Advisory Council, (MINTRAC) and Meat Industry Training Australia, (MEATRAIN). The Meat Industry has established accredited training programs in the meat industry and is widely acclaimed as a bench mark Industry Training Body.

The Union is affiliated with peak Union Bodies including:

Newcastle Trades Hall Council
Labor Council of New South Wales
Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)

For information relating to member inquiries please contact us.

AMIEU PUTTING MEMBERS FIRST