Many union shearers were outraged when Logan Downs Station Manager Charles Fairbain asked the shearers to sign a contract that would reduce the power of their union. On 5 January 1891 the shearers announced a strike until the following demands for a contract were met:

    – Continuation of existing rates of pay
    – Protection of workers’ rights and privileges
    – Just and equitable agreements
    – Exclusion of low-cost Chinese labour, which manifested itself later as Labor Party policy – the Immigration Restriction Act, also known as the White Australia Policy – although anti-Chinese demands were opposed by the Australian Socialist League, which was heavily involved with the strike.