The Australian Boot Trade Employees' Federation (ABTEF) was an Australian trade union which existed from 1908 to 1987. The union represented all workers employed in manufacturing footwear in Australia.

Formation

The ABTEF was formed through the amalgamation of several smaller state-based and craft unions in the footwear industry, such as the New South Wales Clickers' Association and the New South Wales Boot Operators and Rough Stuff Cutters' Union.

Amalgamation

The domestic footwear industry went into steep decline in the 1970's and 80's due to the removal of tariffs, and competition from cheap imported products from Asia. This led to a rapid decline in the Australian industry's workforce, and consequently the membership of the ABTEF. The ABTEF, therefore, began seeking amalgamation with other unions in kindred industries, before gradually amalgamating with the Australian Textile Workers' Union

Australian Textile Workers' Union

The Australian Textile Workers' Union was an Australian trade union which existed from 1919 to 1987. The ATWU represented Australian workers employed in the manufacture of textiles, including the spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing of all types of fibres...

 in 1988 to form the Amalgamated Footwear and Textile Workers' Union of Australia

Amalgamated Footwear and Textile Workers' Union of Australia

Amalgamated Footwear and Textile Workers' Union of Australia was a short-lived Australian trade union, which existed between 1987 and 1992. The union represented workers employed in the manufacture of textiles as well as footwear and felt hatting products....

. The new body also underwent amalgamation shortly thereafter to form the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia

Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia

The Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia is a trade union in Australia. It represents a wide range of workers from the textile, clothing, footwear and felt hatting industries....

, which continues to represent workers in the Australian footwear industry today.

External links

• tcfua.org.au The website of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia, the successor to the ABTEF.