Until recently, theories of trade union development have been absent from historical studies of teacher unions. However, a recent modification to American labour development theories has been useful in explaining in comparative terms the early growth of teachers’ unions. In this essay the same framework is employed to explain the emergence of teacher unionism in nineteenth-century Queensland. The existence of three separate but interrelated growth factors: ‘teachers’ work situation’, ‘union leadership’ and ‘favourable socio-political climate’ provides a framework for understanding the origins, formation and initial strength of the Queensland Teachers’ Union, Australia's oldest teachers’ union.
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