Unions have always played a big part in Australian history—but are they still fighting for our rights or just becoming a hindrance to earning more money in our market economy?
Submitted
22/03/2006
By
brods
Views
34080
Comments
5
Updated
12/11/2007
Caption : AMWU Rally Sydney Town Hall
Photographer : Mushroom and Rooster |
The role of workers’ unions in Australian industrial relations has become a hot topic. Unions are fighting as hard as ever to make sure they do not become obsolete as a result of industrial relations reform.
So what is a workers’ union?
- Unions are organisations set up by employees to help them at work. They are based on the idea that much more can be achieved by working together than as individuals. At work, unions give employees a voice. They do this by assisting them to gain better pay, improved working standards, safe working environments and employment security.
- Unions are an important ingredient in maintaining a fair and balanced workplace. They did not come about by accident. Unions were formed by concerned workers who wanted to defend themselves from exploitation and improve their lifestyle.
- Approximately two million Australians are union members—that’s about 25% of the full-time workforce.
- There are more than 50 unions in Australia representing many different industries (ACTU Worksite, 2003).
Who is involved?
- Any employee in any industry in Australia (except the defence forces) can join a union.
- A number of unions exist in Australia, aligned under the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
Why should we have unions?
- Unions claim that union members have better wages and conditions than non-union members.
- Unionised workplaces can have better health and safety conditions than non-union workplaces. They are also more likely to elect representatives who are legally entitled to monitor health and safety at work.
- Unions have a history of defending the rights of working women, part-time and casual workers. It is much more difficult for employers to discriminate against employees who are aware of their rights.
- Overtime rates, annual leave, rostered days off, redundancy agreements and long- service leave payments are all conditions fought for by unions. Employers tend not to just hand out entitlements.
- Unions support education and training for employees and lobby for on-the-job training for members.
- The union movement has successfully lobbied state and federal governments for better laws to protect low-paid workers.
- Employers may try to cut jobs and increase productivity in tough economic times. Unions make sure that big companies don't put profit before people.
- Unions are involved in important social and community issues. These include the environment, the women's movement, Aboriginal reconciliation, rebuilding East Timor, overseas aid and rights for refugees (Victorian Trades Hall Council, 2006).
Why shouldn’t we have unions?
- Individual contracts between the employer and the employee may be more beneficial for the employee without the interference of the union.
- There has been a shift from traditional employment to independent contracting, consulting and self-employment (IPA, 2005).
- Some unions have been accused of using violence, intimidation or bullying tactics.
- Some people fear unions are too powerful or corrupt, and that if they gain more power it would come at the expense of local businesses and employees.
- Political parties that receive funds from unions may be influenced by this and shift the party's focus from the national interest to the union leaders' interests.
How do I know this?
ACTU Worksite for Schools,
http://www.worksite.actu.asn.au/index.php3
Liberal Party of Australia,
http://www.liberal.org.au/
Unions and related sites,
http://www.anu.edu.au/polsci/unions/unions.html
Victorian Trades Hall Council,
http://www.vthc.org.au/index.cfm
Institute of Public Affairs,
http://www.ipa.org.au/files/news_1038.html
