Politics in a Union, The Hursey Case

Description

The Hurseys won a Supreme Court of Tasmania injunction in June 1958 against the WWF. Represented by Senator (Sir) Reginald Wright in a case beginning in July, they claimed in two writs that the branch had no authority to impose special levies for political purposes, or to stop them from working. A counter writ by the union argued that the Hurseys should not have been rostered for work when they were not union members. The Hurseys won the case and were awarded £3200 each for lost wages and suffering. Supported by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the WWF appealed to the High Court of Australia, which, in September 1959, found in favour of the union and reduced the damages awarded to the Hurseys. Despite the decision, the ACTU reached a national agreement that saw unions abandon compulsory political levies.