This work investigates the historical development, organizational evolution, and socio-political impact of trade unions within the Australian context from the colonial period through 1983. Ian Turner, a noted historian of the Australian labor movement, provides a chronological analysis of unionization efforts, drawing upon archival records and historical documentation. The text examines how industrial relations, legislative changes, and economic shifts shaped the collective bargaining power of the Australian workforce. Leonie Sandercock provides revisions and updates to ensure the historical narrative remains comprehensive and relevant to the period ending in 1983.

Historians and labor scholars frequently cite this text as a foundational reference for understanding the structural growth of Australian industrial relations. Readers often note the academic rigor and the clarity with which the authors synthesize complex historical data into a coherent chronological framework.