The High Council of Public Service Organisations: Wages and Industrial Relations Issues During The Depression Years 1929–34

Abstract

This article examines wages and industrial relations issues involving the High Council of Commonwealth Public Service Organisations—the peak body for the various Commonwealth public sector associations—during the depression years 1929–34. During this period as the level of unemployment soared private sector employees became increasingly concerned about job security. In response to the economic downturn, in January 1931 the Commonwealth Arbitration Court issued a landmark decision to reduce wage rates by ten per cent for all awards within its jurisdiction. Following the Court's decision, many employees in the private sector now also faced possible wage reductions. In contrast. Commonwealth public servants had a separate wages system and, initially at least, they were largely insulated from the impact of the economic downturn. This led to some criticism of public servants within the community. While the Secretary of the High Council, A V Langker, had established a close working relationship with the Scullin (Labor) Government, the election of the Lyons (UAP) Government ended the High Council's influence over Commonwealth public sector wages and industrial relations developments. The High Council was rarely consulted by the Lyons Government and was unable to prevent Commonwealth public servants incurring substantial wage reductions.