Australian unions and collective bargaining in 2014

Abstract

In 2014, published data suggested declines in union membership and industrial conflict, but union members still appeared to achieve small real wage gains even if their nonunion counterparts could not. In a slowing economy and with a conservative Federal Government, union members and officials faced considerable difficulties. Collective bargaining was less volatile in 2014 than in 2013 (which was quieter than 2012). Union campaigning continued, including in the low-paid area, but was more defensive as the environment was less friendly towards the low-paid and vulnerable. A 20th anniversary provided an opportunity for appraisal of the Organising Works program and of the shift to a more organising-focused approach. There was continuing growth of employer unilateralism and state militancy in the public sector. To the public, the year was dominated by media headlines generated by Royal Commission proceedings. Instead of building on previous gains, unions became more defensive in the face of increasing economic and institutional hostility.

Unions and collective bargaining in Australia in 2015

“…Bailey and Peetz (2015) noted that this decision puts Australian union membership data collection practice out of line with best practice in other industrialised economies. Consequently, interpreting union membership trends has become more difficult.…”

“…In October 2015, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2015a) issued the first release of a new series reporting union membership only biannually, rather than annually. Bailey and Peetz (2015) noted that this decision puts Australian union membership data collection practice out of line with best practice in other industrialised economies. Consequently, interpreting union membership trends has become more difficult.…”

“…Consequently, interpreting union membership trends has become more difficult. Bailey and Peetz (2015) used a weighted moving average to smooth out the volatility in the annual data and identify the extent to which shifts in year-to-year estimates reflect an underlying trend, but that is not yet possible with this new series. Caution should be exercised when comparing movements in estimates from year to year, especially in light of the changed methodology for collecting these statistics.…”

“…Federally, bargaining in much of the public sector was at a stalemate as the government held its hard line on wages in the renegotiation of more than 100 agreements (Bailey and Peetz, 2015). In May, Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) delegates voted to escalate the union’s campaign, with national secretary Nadine Flood promising the biggest round of industrial action the Commonwealth Government had seen in 30 years (Workplace Express, 2015i).…”

“…The CMFEU faced another litigious year, with continuing fallout from its 2012 dispute with Grocon and new allegations arising from the TURC (Bailey and Peetz, 2014, 2015). In June, the CFMEU settled Grocon’s common law claim in the Victorian Supreme Court for damages resulting from the union’s 2012 blockade of its Myer Emporium site and three other Melbourne projects.…”