Unmet Demand for Union Membership in Australia

Abstract

Unmet demand for union membership is defined as employees in non-union workplaces who would join a union if given the opportunity. Unmet demand is a significant issue for Australian unions as union density continues to decline and the current legislative environment remains hostile. This article gauges the contours of unmet demand for union membership in Australia, drawing on responses to the Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey (AWRPS 2004). It finds a significant level of unmet demand for union membership in Australia. Unmet demand varies according to workplace and employee characteristics and is highest among low income earners, younger workers, workers with shorter organizational tenure and workers in routinized occupations. The practical implications of our findings are discussed in relation to union renewal and the legislative environment prevailing in 2008.

Employee voice and regulation in the residential aged care sector

“…These sectoral characteristics do not necessarily reflect the desire of aged care workers for opportunities to express voice. The analysis of the Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey by Pyman et al . (2009) revealed that according to the 2004 data, close to 39 per cent of the health and community services workers surveyed from non‐union workplaces were ‘fairly likely’ or ‘likely’ to join a union if asked (p. 15).…”

“…These sectoral characteristics do not necessarily reflect the desire of aged care workers for opportunities to express voice. The analysis of the Australian Worker Representation and Participation Survey by Pyman et al (2009) revealed that according to the 2004 data, close to 39 per cent of the health and community services workers surveyed from non-union workplaces were 'fairly likely' or 'likely' to join a union if asked (p. 15). While it should be noted that aged care is included in the aggregate health and community services grouping and that non-manual workers and professionals were overrepresented in the survey -the data do serve as a caution against equating low levels of unionisation with lack of interest in expressing voice collectively or individually.…”

Daggy Shirts, Daggy Slogans? Marketing Unions to Young People

“…However, researchers have found that in Canada, the USA and the UK, potential levels of union density are about 50 percent for both young people and adults (Bryson et al, 2005). A recent Australian study has found that the potential for recruitment in non-union workplaces is significantly higher for those under 25; 50 percent of young workers in such workplaces, in contrast to around 30 percent of workers aged 45 and over, were 'fairly' or 'very' likely to join a union if asked (Pyman et al, 2009). Correspondingly, lower numbers of 18-24-year olds than older workers agree with statements that 'Australia would be better off without unions' and 'unions in Australia don't look after their members' (Bearfield, 2003: 6), findings borne out in a New Zealand study (Haynes et al, 2005).…”

The Determinants of Individual Union Membership in Australia: A Structural Approach Using Panel Data

“…Indeed, as previously mentioned, the work of Pyman et al . (, p. 13) shows that there is significant unmet demand for union membership in Australia. Their work indicates that this unmet demand is strongest among lower income earners, the young and those with shorter organisational tenure.…”

“…Indeed Pyman et al . (, p. 17) state that if a conservative estimate of unmet demand for union membership in Australia was added to the official ABS estimate for 2008, this would take the estimate for union density from 19.5 per cent to 27.8 per cent.…”