Trade Unions in Australia
Table of contents
Executive Summary…………………………………………………….. Page 3
Introduction………………………………………………………………Page 4
Benefits of joining a union……………………………………………….Page 6
Membership declines and impact of legislation…………………………Page 7
Effect of Human Resources on Employees and Union memberships…Page 9
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………Page 10
References…………………………………………………………………Page 11
Executive Summary: Since the 1980’s trade union membership numbers have declined rapidly ( Balnave et al, 2007, pg 130). Once upon a time it was quiet important for employees to be part of a union as it entitled them to have a collective voice, and power to build a pleasurable workplace. There have been many factors that have contributed to this decline in union memberships such as changes in workplace structure as well as increase in employee numbers (Patmore, 1992, pg 227 ). Changes in legislation by the Howard government with the implementation of the 1996 Workplace Relations Act and later the Workchoices Act restricted trade unions in a large way therefore contributing to the decline in members. The increasing use of Human Resources within businesses is also impacting as employees are choosing to directly consult management over issues rather then involving a third party. With the Labour party regaining power in 2007 the legislations have now been adjusted in favour of trade unions. However they are going to have to continue to work hard so employees choose to join unions and begin to go against this declining trend of union memberships (Cooper, 2004, pg 207).
Introduction:
A trade union is ‘an organisation of employees whose focus is the protection and negotiation of pay rates and conditions of employment’ ( Balnave et al, pg 536, 2007). By people joining together as a collective not an individual, produces a greater amount of power when dealing with issues such as wages and working conditions (Balnave et al, 2007, pg125). It is this power that influences
Executive Summary…………………………………………………….. Page 3
Introduction………………………………………………………………Page 4
Benefits of joining a union……………………………………………….Page 6
Membership declines and impact of legislation…………………………Page 7
Effect of Human Resources on Employees and Union memberships…Page 9
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………Page 10
References…………………………………………………………………Page 11
Executive Summary: Since the 1980’s trade union membership numbers have declined rapidly ( Balnave et al, 2007, pg 130). Once upon a time it was quiet important for employees to be part of a union as it entitled them to have a collective voice, and power to build a pleasurable workplace. There have been many factors that have contributed to this decline in union memberships such as changes in workplace structure as well as increase in employee numbers (Patmore, 1992, pg 227 ). Changes in legislation by the Howard government with the implementation of the 1996 Workplace Relations Act and later the Workchoices Act restricted trade unions in a large way therefore contributing to the decline in members. The increasing use of Human Resources within businesses is also impacting as employees are choosing to directly consult management over issues rather then involving a third party. With the Labour party regaining power in 2007 the legislations have now been adjusted in favour of trade unions. However they are going to have to continue to work hard so employees choose to join unions and begin to go against this declining trend of union memberships (Cooper, 2004, pg 207).
Introduction:
A trade union is ‘an organisation of employees whose focus is the protection and negotiation of pay rates and conditions of employment’ ( Balnave et al, pg 536, 2007). By people joining together as a collective not an individual, produces a greater amount of power when dealing with issues such as wages and working conditions (Balnave et al, 2007, pg125). It is this power that influences
References: Balnave, N, Brown, J, Maconachie G, & Stone, RJ 2007 Employment Relations in Australia, 2nd edn, Wiley, Milton, QLD. Barns, A, 2005 ‘Trade Unionism in 2005’, Journal of industrial relations, vol 3, pp 369-383 Brigden, C, 2008 ‘Unions and Collective Bargaining in 2008’, Journal of industrial relations, vol Cooper, R, 2005 ‘ Trade Unionism in 2004’, Journal of industrial relations, vol. 47, no.2, pp 202-211 Cooper, R, 2008 ‘Forward with Fairness? Industrial Relations under Labour 2008’, Journal of industrial relations, vol Griffiths, J & Lloyd-Walker, 2007 ‘Human Resources Management’, 3rd edn, Pearson Education Australia, French Forest, NSW. Patmore, G, 1992, ‘ The future of trade unionism- an Australian perspective, International Journal of Human Resources Management, vol. 3, no. 2 pp 225-239 Riley, J, & Sarina, T, 2005, ‘Industrial legislation in 2005’, Journal of industrial relations, vol About Trade unions, Australian Council of Trade Unions, viewed 10th April, 2010 http://www.actu.org.au/About/Tradeunions/default.aspx