[2] The impetus for amalgamation was a desire to seek an award under the federal arbitration system, which was achieved in the following year.
[3]: 202 In its early years the PIEUA primarily represented compositors - skilled tradesmen responsible for typesetting, who formed an 'aristocracy of labour' within the printing industry.
[3] Soon after its formation, however, the PIEUA began expanding its industrial remit to cover a broader range of workers.
The formation of the Victorian branch of the PIEUA only occurred in 1921 due to disputes between the small craft unions in the printing trade.
The Australian Bookbinders & Paper Rulers' Association is believed to have formed around 1878, and merged to become part of the PIEUA Victorian branch.