ReThe **Sydney Opera House Work-In** was an episode of [workers'
control](Workers'_Self-Management "wikilink") that occurred in Sydney,
[Australia](Commonwealth_of_Australia "wikilink") in
[1972](Timeline_of_Libertarian_Socialism_in_Oceania "wikilink").

## Background

The Construction of the famous Sydney Opera House took place between
1959 and 1973, or a period of 13 years. In 1972, management had fired a
worker and in response the workers demanded the rehiring of said worker
and a wage increase of 25%. Management refused these requests, and were
all fired. In response, the workers broke into the construction site
with a crowbar and brought their own toolboxes.<sup>\[1\]</sup>

## Workers' Control Edit

Workers elected a foreman and safety officer, and when the Department of
Public Works refused to provide engineers, they simply reorganized and
did jobs that did not require engineers. Foreman tried to order the
workers around and threatened to fire them, but were simply told to go
jump into the harbour. Productivity skyrocketed as workers did the same
work which previously took fourty-eight hours in thirty-five (or a 25%
increase\!), something management had considered impossible. This was a
result in improved morale, efficient organization and less people
skipping work. This frightened management so much that they promised
greater and greater wage increases and better working conditions, but
the workers kept saying no until they got better and better
deals.<sup>\[1\]</sup>

## Results

The workers agreed to end their work-in when management agreed to give
them a 25% [wage increase](Wage_Labour "wikilink"), the right to elect
their foremen, four weeks annual leave (later encoded into Australian
law for all workers in 1974)\[1\] and a large payment for their
troubles. The workers were extremely satisfied with this, and ended
their work-in.

## See Also Edit

  - Harco Work-In
  - Clutha Development Mine Work-In
  - Whyalla Glove Factory Work-In
  - Wyong Plaza Work-In
  - Nymboida Mine Work-In
  - Coal Cliff Work-In
  - Sanyo Television Factory Work-In
  - Union Carbide Work-In

## References

  -
Department of Social Security Work-In

1.  Department of Social Security Work-In

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1.  <https://worksite.actu.org.au/the-history-of-annual-leave/>