Industry differences in the neoliberal transformation of Australian industrial relations

Abstract

This article argues that our theoretical understanding of neoliberalism and empirical understanding of the transformation of industrial relations in Australia since the early 1990s can be improved by disaggregating analysis from national to industry level, and by focusing on the dual neoliberal objectives of decollectivisation and individualisation.

Employer and Employer Association Experiences of Enterprise Bargaining: Being Careful What You Wish For?

“…Morehead, Steele, Alexander, Stephen and Duffin (1997) and Wooden (2000) argued that enterprise bargaining tends to occur largely in unionised sectors of the economy. Bray and Underhill's (2009) research confirmed this picture, indicating that in the largely non-union hospitality sector, award regulation was dominant with enterprise bargaining largely insignificant. In parts of the hospitality industry, such as cafes and restaurants, employers also used AWAs provided for in the WR Act but, overwhelmingly, hospitality employers relied on the reduced award protections which the 1996 Act delivered to limit wage increases and expand managerial prerogatives.…”

Rethinking the Regulation of Vulnerable Work in the USA: A Sector-based Approach

“…These factors have led to a parallel growth in vulnerable workforce conditions in sectors like eating and drinking and hospitality as described earlier for the USA (e.g. in Australia see Barnes and Fieldes, 2000 for hospitality;Bray and Underhill, 2009 regarding hospitality and construction).…”

Editors' introduction: Australian industrial relations in transition

“…The mid-1990s heralded a period of major change in employment relations in Australia. The election of the Howard Liberal government in 1996 meant that neoliberalism was extended into most areas of economic policy including employment relations (Bray and Underhill, 2009). What the previous Keating Labor government had initiated, John Howard intensified in the first nine years of his government.…”