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Statutory Union Recognition in North America and the UK: Lessons for Australia?

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  • Chris Briggs

Abstract

Should the Australian labour movement pursue a system of statutory union recognition? The experiences of the UK and Canada illustrate that such a system can address some of the worst breaches of freedom of association under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth). However, the influence on union density and collective bargaining coverage is likely to be modest. It may also constitute a structural impediment to multi-employer bargaining, boxing unions into a system of fragmented bargaining, and results are sensitive to institutional design so there could be serious consequences if the system was re-engineered towards the US model in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Chris Briggs, 2007. "Statutory Union Recognition in North America and the UK: Lessons for Australia?," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 17(2), pages 77-97, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:17:y:2007:i:2:p:77-97
    DOI: 10.1177/103530460701700205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Oxenbridge & William Brown & Simon Deakin & Cliff Pratten, 2003. "Initial Responses to the Statutory Recognition Provisions of the Employment Relations Act 1999," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 41(2), pages 315-334, June.
    2. Chris Riddell, 2004. "Union Certification Success under Voting versus Card-Check Procedures: Evidence from British Columbia, 1978–1998," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 57(4), pages 493-517, July.
    3. Chris Riddell, 2001. "Union suppression and certification success," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(2), pages 396-410, May.
    4. Susan Johnson, 2002. "Card Check or Mandatory Representation Vote? How the Type of Union Recognition Procedure Affects Union Certification Success," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 112(479), pages 344-361, April.
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