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    The impact of privatisation on union membership and density: A Western Australian case study

    226089_226089.pdf (410.0Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Oliver, Bobbie
    Date
    2014
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Oliver, B. 2014. The impact of privatisation on union membership and density: A Western Australian case study. The Economic and Labour Relations Review. 25 (1): pp. 28-46.
    Source Title
    The Economic and Labour Relations Review
    DOI
    10.1177/1035304613518475
    ISSN
    1035-3046
    School
    School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30536
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Falling membership numbers and declining union density are issues of concern for many Australian unions. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that between 2005 and 2008, trade union membership declined from 22.4% to 18.9% of the workforce. Studies and statistics consistently show that union membership and density are lowest in Western Australia, despite trend reversals elsewhere. Using the Western Australian branches of two 'blue-collar' unions - the Australian Rail, Tram and Bus Industry Union, Western Australian Branch and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, covering a range of transport, metal working, printing and manufacturing trades - as examples, this article examines whether privatisation has contributed significantly to falling trade union density and membership in this state. These unions represented large public sector workforces. In order to test the hypothesis that privatisation has adversely affected union membership and density, the article examines three areas: changing policies in the Australian Labor Party, the breaking down of union culture and changes in trade training, and concludes that privatisation is a significant factor in the recent decline of these two unions.

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