Some perspectives on redundancy: with special reference to the State Dockyard. Newcastle, NSW

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to focus attention on the decision process which made over a thousand men redundant at State Dockyard, Newcastle, NSW. In the past, attention has been focused on labour market effects with social issues almost entirely neglected. We seek to highlight the imbalance of power which exists between employer interests, trade unions and workers. Dockyard workers endeavoured to resist redundancy and their means of protest were a reflection of the power base available to them. What emerges is an inability of workers to successfully resist redundancy.