The History of HACSU and Unions in Tasmania
From foundation to today
HACSU has a long and proud history dating back to the early 20th century, where a group of health professionals from Victoria and New South Wales banded together to fight for the creation of a wages board for the health sector.
At the time, many nurses, attendants, surgeons and doctors were paid under charity rates, and had to work over 65 hours a week and in conditions questionable even by the standards of the early 1900's.
Since those humble days, HACSU has grown to become a successful fighter for working rights, whilst the Tasmanian union movement now holds the highest percentage of membership of any state in the Commonwealth.
In this section, you can find everything you need to know about the founding of HACSU, as well as Tasmanian unions' rise from its convict roots to a force for the common good.