As Australia approached the Second World War , the Dalfram dispute of 1938 in Port Kembla showed that trade unions and workers were not afraid to take strike action on political issues , in this case the export of pig iron to a military aggressive Japan invading China . Although workers returned to work after 10 weeks and 2 days on strike , the '' Transport Workers Act of 1928 '' ( '' The Dog Collar Act '' ) had been shown to be ineffective when concerted action and solidarity was undertaken . Attorney General Robert Menzies earned his nickname of '' ' Pig Iron Bob ' '' during this dispute as a result of significant union protest
Dalfram dispute of 1938
Dalfram dispute of 1938
Australian labour movement