This is most certainly about the 1988 stevedore strikes. In order to try and compromise pay and conditions the biggest port company in Australia (and I believe the world too) tried to renegotiate contracts. When it failed and Union workers picketed the docks they imported non-union Labor and eventually tried to pay ex soldiers and mercenaries to do the job instead. It all ended when the Unions pretty much won out but in the long term a lot changed at a much slower pace.
In the lyrics it is pretty clear. "Too much work and not enough pay", because the employers were asking for longer hours and less breaks for the same pay (and quite dangerous high skill work too). "We'll protest in peace", pickets have a history of violence but it would have turned public opinion against the unions (the government were very anti-union). The last bit is about how they might win or lose but things were going to change anyway (which they have). It doesn't end on a downer though, the idea is that individually it can be futile but together everyone can keep the dream alive.
The Living end are also Melbourne boys and Melbourne has always had a Union background. It is actually the place where the 888 movement started (8 hours work, 8 hours rest and 8 hours for family) and eventually set the world standard for a working day.
This is most certainly about the 1988 stevedore strikes. In order to try and compromise pay and conditions the biggest port company in Australia (and I believe the world too) tried to renegotiate contracts. When it failed and Union workers picketed the docks they imported non-union Labor and eventually tried to pay ex soldiers and mercenaries to do the job instead. It all ended when the Unions pretty much won out but in the long term a lot changed at a much slower pace.
In the lyrics it is pretty clear. "Too much work and not enough pay", because the employers were asking for longer hours and less breaks for the same pay (and quite dangerous high skill work too). "We'll protest in peace", pickets have a history of violence but it would have turned public opinion against the unions (the government were very anti-union). The last bit is about how they might win or lose but things were going to change anyway (which they have). It doesn't end on a downer though, the idea is that individually it can be futile but together everyone can keep the dream alive.
The Living end are also Melbourne boys and Melbourne has always had a Union background. It is actually the place where the 888 movement started (8 hours work, 8 hours rest and 8 hours for family) and eventually set the world standard for a working day.