Loyal workers medalet, 1917 Industrial Crisis

Round silver plated bronze medalet with a scrolled suspension hole attached to the top. In the centre of the medalet in raised relief is the Australian coat-of-arms surrounded by a circle enamelled red, white and blue in equal sections. Around the outside are the words 'LOYAL WORKERS. INDUSTRIAL CRISIS 1917'.

The 1917 general strike, which began with the New South Wales Railway department, quickly spread to other industries including the coal miners and waterside workers. The waterside strike extended beyond New South Wales and caused massive disruptions at ports around Australia, crippling the shipping industry for several weeks. The Waterside Workers Union had in fact been in dispute with the government and the companies since May that year and the strike continued until late August, longer than the railwaymen and other unions. The use of 'scab' labour was wide spread during the strike and this badge was issued to those 'Loyal Workers' who defied the strike to keep working. This decision made them extremely unpopular with unionists, to the extent that some felt their lives were in danger. Ownership of this badge therefore had its risks, especially after the strike when the disgruntled unionists who managed to keep their jobs resumed work alongside the loyal workers. Most of these badges were consequently hidden away or disposed of.