Several unemployed strike actions took place in the thirties to improve relief assistance to unemployed persons. Assistance could be in the form of food rations, money or nothing at all. State governments paid very small amounts of unemployment relief that were funded by state taxes. More information about unemployed strike actions and unemployed unions can be found at Solidarity Online: http://www.solidarity.net.au/highlights/organising-the-unemployed-dole-strikes-and-the-1930s-depression/ Ballarat Sustenance and Relief Workers' Union was a Trades Hall Council-sponsored organisation co-ordinating the self help activities of the Ballarat unemployed during the 1930s depression.Unemployed strikes in the 1930s showed the power of collective action and are a strong part of the history of Ballarat and other Trades Halls. Unemployed strike actions are also part of the history of The Great Depression and the beginning of a state-funded welfare system for unemployed persons.Paper, one bound volume.unemployed strike committee, minutes, btlc, ballarat trades and labour council, the great depression, strikes, susso, dole, unemployment, unemployment benefits, victorian trades hall council, vthc, rationing, rationing, unemployed workers movement, uwm, ballarat sustenance and relief workers' union, ballarat trades hall