Special constables gathered in Brisbane for the general strike of 1912. Photo: State Library of Queensland
One of the most provocative strikes in Brisbane's history took place in the middle of the city exactly 100 years ago today, prompting a re-enactment at Ferny Grove.
It became Australia's first-ever general strike and shaped the role of the labour movement in Australia.
In 1912, tram drivers began a strike that eventually highlighted freedom of speech and the right of employees to join a union while workers battled police and embittered employers.
Police aboard a tram in Queen Street during the 1912 general strike. Photo: State Library of Queensland
Brisbane tram drivers were sacked by their employer, General Electric, for wearing a union badges to work.
In Brisbane, General Electric was managed by an American, Joe Badger, who refused to talk with the tram drivers.
Brisbane's tram drivers marched into town to Trades Hall and later protested with 10,000 people in Market Place, today known as King George Square.
Police and bushmen outside Brisbane's General Post Office during the general strike. Photo: State Library of Queensland
By January 30, Brisbane's tram strike had evolved into a general strike.
The next day 25,000 workers marched from Trades Hall to Fortitude Valley while 50,000 others looked on.
Queensland Council of Unions president John Battams said those events were extremely important in Queensland's history.
"Brisbane's population in 1912 was around 150,000, so a rally of 25,000 on the day after the sackings from a population of 150,000 is probably the equivalent of a rally of 250,000 people," Mr Battans said.
"What eventually happened is that other unions went out in sympathy, firstly the railways union and you had the first-ever general strike in Australia."
Queensland's then-premier Digby Denham refused to let the strikers, who gradually swelled to include workers from 43 different unions, become an "alternative government".
Mr Battams said today's re-enactment of the Brisbane tram drivers' strike at the Tramway Museum demonstrated how far working conditions had improved.
"It is good to remember the solidarity shown by the other works and the gains that the union movement have made," he said.
Mr Battams acknowledged that unions had to demontrate their worth to a new generation of workers.
"In today's world where some people question the union movement, it is important to acknowledge that many of the benefits we have won recently like good health and safety laws, good worker's compensation scheme and compulsory superannuation schemes," he said.
The 1912 general strike eventually bought business around Brisbane to a standstill for weeks.
A strike committee chose which work could take place, issuing "strike coupons" which allowed certain work to take place.
The general strike gave Brisbane its own "Black Friday" - February 2, 1912 - when police commissioner William Cahill refused to allow a further strike.
Despite no strike being allowed, 15,000 people turned up at Market Square and were reportedly attacked by police with batons.
Here prominent trade unionist, Emma Miller - now known as the "mother of the ALP" in Queensland - reportedly stabbed William Cahill's horse as police attacked the protesters.
Emma Miller, then in her 70s, reportedly pulled out her hatpin and jabbed it into the rump of Commissioner Cahill's horse causing the horse to rear and and throw Commissioner Cahill.
At first "Black Friday" was known as "Baton Friday" because of the police baton charges.
John Battams said a special event would be held at King George Square on February 2 to recognise the 100 years since Black Friday.
"A lot of people in society benefit from a strong union movement without actually realising it," he said.
"I think the fact that someone is earning penalty rates on a public holiday is because of the union movement, the fact that someone will be eligible for paid paternity leave is because of the union movement, the fact that employers have to pay into a superannuation is because of the union movement.
"We are just joining those dots together."