Summary

T-shirt designed and distributed by the Victorian branch of the Operative Painters and Decorators Union, in the final years that it was known by this name, before amalgamating to form the CFMEU.

The Operative Painters' and Decorators' Union originated as a craft union in the nineteenth century. It retained this tradition within the building industry until large-scale union amalgamation occured in the late 1980s, initiated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The Union was first registered federally in 1910 as the Federated House & Ship Painters, Paperhangers & Decorators Employees' Association Australasia. By 1915 it had become the Operative Painters & Decorators of Australasia. In 1918 the name changed again, to the Operative Painters' & Decorators' Union of Australia. Seventy-five years later, in 1993, the union amalgamated to form the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.

Physical Description

T-shirt is white in colour and is made from cotton. On both the front and back sides of the garment there are logos and writing in purple and black ink. The cartoon illustration on the front of the garment features man with painting equipment and a degree. He's wearing a mortar board and a face mask.

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