Eastern Goldfields Operative Bakers Industrial Union of Workers

This Trade Union Banner made of canvas with silk edging likely depicts an actual bakery in Kalgoorlie, or Boulder, in 1911. Trade Unions were important to workers in the Goldfields. Migrant workers flooded into the region hoping to strike it rich. In the early days of the goldrush, working conditions were poor, and everyone worked very long hours. The first Trade Union Congress in Western Australia was held in Coolgardie on 11 April 1899. Unions in Australia are acclaimed for negotiating the eight-hour workday.