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Trend Analysis of Union Membership

Author

Listed:
  • David Peetz

    (Griffith University)

Abstract

Analysis of developments in union membership has been hampered by the variability of official statistics. Use of trend union membership data can give us a more accurate medium and longer term perspective on the degree of union decline or revival at aggregated and disaggregated levels. Across a range of measures, the trend is for the rates of decline of both union membership and density to be easing. This is happening in most states and industries, and amongst most types of employees. Over the longer term, density has been declining by disproportionately large amounts in the private sector, amongst men and amongst casual employees. However, the decline amongst part-timers has been less than that amongst full-timers, due to the shift towards casualisation of full-time work. Continuing improvements in aggregate union membership require substantial continuing internal reform, building on the progress that has been made within unionised workplaces and developing genuine growth strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • David Peetz, 2005. "Trend Analysis of Union Membership," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 8(1), pages 1-24, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:8:y:2005:i:1:p:1-24
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jonathan Hamberger, 1995. "Individual Contracts What Do They Mean for Australia?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 6(2), pages 288-299, December.
    2. Anonymous, 2002. "Abstracts of 2002 Conference Papers," Enterprise & Society, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(4), pages 687-714, December.
    3. Patrice Laroche, 2004. "The impact of unions on workplace financial performance: an empirical study in the French context," Post-Print hal-02976946, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Dobbie & Daehoon Nahm, 2018. "The Determinants of Individual Union Membership in Australia: A Structural Approach Using Panel Data," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 37(1), pages 75-91, March.
    2. David Peetz & Barbara Pocock, 2009. "An Analysis of Workplace Representatives, Union Power and Democracy in Australia," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 47(4), pages 623-652, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade Unions; Objectives; Structure and Effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J50 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - General

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