Australian Unions
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the largest peak
body representing workers in Australia. It is a national trade union
centre of 46 affiliated unions representing about 1.8 million workers
[1] . The ACTU was formed in 1927 as "The Australian Council
of Trade Unions" and as stated in its consitiution, their objectives
are:
- The socialisation of industry;
- Organisation of wage and salary earners in the Australian workforce
(within the trade union movement);
- The utilisation of Australian resources to maintain full employment,
establish equitable living standards which increase inline with
output, and create opportunities for the development of talent.
[2]
STATISTICS - TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP
In August 2008, there were 1.8 million employees who were trade
union members in conjunction with their main job. This was a 3%
increase on the 1.7 million trade union members in August 2007,
however in both years, trade union members represented 19% of people
who were employees in their main job.
Data collected about trade union members in August 2008 also showed:
- 21% of full-time employees and 15% of part-time
employees were trade union members
- 42% of public sector employees were trade union
members, compared to 14% of private sector employees
- the state with the highest proportion of trade union
members was Tasmania (25% of Tasmanian employees), while the lowest
was Western Australia (14% of Western Australian employees).
The occupation groups with the highest proportion of employees who
were trade union members in their main job were Machinery operators
and drivers (28%), followed by Professionals (25%) and Community and
personal service workers (23%). The occupation group with the lowest
proportion of trade union members was Managers (9%).
Employees in main job, Industry of main job, By trade
union membership-Proportion of all employees who were trade union
members
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Employees in the Education and training industry group had the
highest proportion of trade union membership (40%), followed by
Public administration and safety (34%). The industry group with
the lowest proportion of trade union membership was the Professional,
scientific and technical services industry (4%).
Source: ABS 6310.1 [3]
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