Revolutionary Industrial Unionism

A history of the International Workers of the World (IWW) in Australia, this book is both lively and scholarly.

Verity Burgmann writes with vigour and passion about the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Australia. The book claims that this alternative form of revolutionary working-class politics has been undervalued. It describes the 'Wobblies' activities and culture, and their impact on Australian political history.The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) in Australia are better known for the stories told about them than for any document historical significance. Renowned for their audacity and hooliganism the 'Wobblies' were particularly notorious for their active opposition to World War I. This landmark book conveys the vitality and drama of Wobbly activity, and also assesses the impact of the IWW on Australian political and labour history. Drawing from an impressive range of sources, Verity Burgmann writes with vigour and passion about Wobbly culture, and describes their doctrines, methods and organisation. The book highlights the unique nature of the IWW in Australia, and traces Wobbly influence in much post-war activity. Now, with the widespread collapse of communism and the inadequacies of labour parties, the IWW, as an alternative form of revolutionary working-class politics, merits renewed investigation.