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2 April, 2001For the first time in ten years, trade union membership registered an increase in 2000.
AUSTRALIA: Data in an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) survey, released on March 30, shows that the number of union members in Australia has increased for the first time in over a decade. Union membership grew by 23,600 in the year 2000, compared to a decrease of 208,000 in 1999.
While the data shows a slight reduction in union density to 25 per cent due to the growth in overall job numbers, there is an increase in absolute and relative union numbers in growth industries such as health, tourism and accommodation.
Another ABS survey, released on March 29, indicates that more than a third of all workers in permanent jobs in Australia are union members, and that 27 per cent of all employees say they belong to a union.
Commenting on the data, the Australian Council of Trade Unions said the rise reflected the increased focus of unions on grassroots organisation, as well as a growing concern in the community that the anti-union approach of the present conservative government and some employers was damaging the fabric of Australian society.
While the data shows a slight reduction in union density to 25 per cent due to the growth in overall job numbers, there is an increase in absolute and relative union numbers in growth industries such as health, tourism and accommodation.
Another ABS survey, released on March 29, indicates that more than a third of all workers in permanent jobs in Australia are union members, and that 27 per cent of all employees say they belong to a union.
Commenting on the data, the Australian Council of Trade Unions said the rise reflected the increased focus of unions on grassroots organisation, as well as a growing concern in the community that the anti-union approach of the present conservative government and some employers was damaging the fabric of Australian society.