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The Red Feds

Revolutionary Industrial Unionism and the New Zealand Federation of Labour 1908-14
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Jul 10, 2018TRoud rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Olssen's detailed account of the early workers movement in Aotearoa is essential reading for anyone interested in political and labour history. Detailing industrial disputes, political debates, strikes, and mass meetings "Red Feds" paints an extraordinary and vivid picture of what has thus far been the most tumultuous period of working class activity in New Zealand's history. The period marks the founding of the "red" Federation of Labour, forerunner to the Council of Trade Unions, and many figures from the founding of the New Zealand Labour Party appear as agitators with all the fiery rhetoric of a movement finding its feet. Culminating in the 1913 Great Strike, readers will learn of an era where the question of storming parliament was considered by radical, socialist workers parties and unions. The nations capital was contested block by block, including gun fire. One of the only martyrs of New Zealand's labour movement, Fred Evans, was killed in this period. With only one edition printed, this is a rare work highly treasured by unionists, socialists, and students of history in New Zealand and internationally. It is an exceptional resource to have available in the library collection.