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'Transforming Labour' at the Westrail Workshops, Midland, WA, 1960s to 1990s

Access Status
Open access
Authors
Oliver, Bobbie
Date
2003
Type
Conference Paper

Metadata
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Citation
Oliver, Bobbie. 2003. : 'Transforming Labour' at the Westrail Workshops, Midland, WA, 1960s to 1990s, in Bowden, B and Kellett, J (ed), Transforming Labour. Work, Workers, Struggle and Change. Proceedings of the Eighth National Labour History Conference, 3-5 October, 2003, pp. 247-252. Griffith University.
Source Title
Transforming Labour. Work, Workers, Struggle and Change.
Source Conference
Transforming Labour. Work, Workers, Struggle and Change. Proceedings of the Eighth National Labour History Conference
Faculty
Division of Humanities
Department of Social Sciences
Faculty of Media, Society and Culture (MSC)
URI
Collection
Abstract

The paper identifies ways in which labour was transformed at the Westrail Workshops, Midland, WA, from the 1960s to the 1990s. It examines the change from steam to diesel locomotives and the resulting impact on the various skilled trades, and the implementation of better health and safety practices. The paper discusses ways in which these changes affected the apprenticeship structure and examines whether safer, more inclusive work practices empower workers, making them more in control of their work place and their future.