The Union was formed in March 1974 in response to the British Phosphate Commission's (BPC) firing and deportation of Teo Boon How, the chief interpreter in the administrative office.
[2] After Bennett's election, the Union issued a series of demands, including a $30-per-week pay raise and Australian citizenship rights for Christmas Islanders.
After the BPC attempted to break the strike, the deputy president of Australia’s arbitration commission James Taylor travelled to the Island to intervene.
The Union later began taking actions on the Australian mainland, including protesting outside Parliament House and launching a hunger strike.
Eventually, the Union's strike was successful, not only winning the demanded pay raise but also convincing the government of Australia to launch a public inquiry into the BPC.