Historical Background Of Australia 's Industrial Relations

In 1947 it was revised to help better protect employees as well as employers. The revision stated that employees and managers must bargain “in good faith” with each other, and illegalized wild cat strikes, (refusing to work under a valid contract). These rights help employees as well as employers to be treated fairly. Forcing employees and employers to work together as a team can increase their understanding of where each side is coming from, as well as making it easier to compromise. The act also prevented businesses from becoming “closed shops,” (places where only union members were hired.) and prevented members from forcing others to join a union. Employees were also given the option to hold elections to certify and decertify unions. Employers were given the freedom to voice any concerns they had over unions so long as they did not interfere with the organization of unions. The revised act also gives the president the power to call off strikes in the event that it becomes a national emergency. A board may be hired to examine the situation of the strike so that the president may better understand why the situation has not been resolved. The president can then put an injunction on the strike; if a decision is not reached, the injunction can be extended.

Unions were a major turning point in Canada’s labor industry since they were meant to put the power of government behind the rights of the workers for them to bargain collectively with their employees on matters like working conditions, wages, and working hours. Trade unions were supposed to protect workers against arbitrary decisions like sudden wage cuts, layoffs and firing. Trade unions were majorly meant to protect the interest of the workers. Employers, however, do not like trade unions. In an economy that has a lot of uncertainty, employers want to have the flexibility of cutting wages, hiring and firing and also adding extra hours to the workers when there is a need. However, there is a decline in labor unions due to the current employment shift. There was a shift in employment from industries that had high unionization rates like the manufacturing and construction industries to occupations with lower unionization rates like retail trade and professional services. Even though most of the things trade unions did like ensuring comfortable working conditions have been enshrined in the law, trade unions are still crucial in ensuring workers are safe in their workplace.

With the benefits of the objectives of a union evident, why has Australian unions witnessed a decline in membership? There are many reasons to suggest a decline in membership, but three main factors stand out. They are; the changing composition of employment; the casual effects of the business cycle; and, the introduction of the Accord (Deery et al, 2000).

Labor unions represent workers interests and the collective bargaining process provides a way to manage the conflict (Noe, 2003). More than ever, union employees have come to see unionizing as a way to achieve an

The submissions of the Australian Federal Government that the Workplace Relations Act 1996, amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 was constitutionally valid prevailed with a majority of 5:2 by the High Court of Australia.1 This High Court decision inaugurated a shift of legislative power from the States to the Commonwealth.2 Since officially coming into effect as of 27 March 2006, the Work Choices Act has been the most comprehensive reformation in Australia in nearly a century, constantly sparking matters of controversy. 3

In order to create Australia’s image as a working man’s paradise, workers gained rights to speak. The first of these issues to be discussed are the hours of work. The balanced working time of eight-hour day movement was introduced in the mid 19th century. It was conducted by trade unions for the right of shorter working hours suitable Australia’s harsh climate. This fairer working condition of eight-hour day has succeeded by the end of the century, when the government introduced fairer laws in the late 1890s which attempted to reduce working hours and give workers Saturday afternoon off. This achievement established a national standard that was aspired by the rest of the world and formed the basis of Australia’s reputation as a ‘working man’s paradise’.

A trade union is an association of workers that aims to advance the interests of its members by improving their wages and working conditions. There are many types of trade unions in Australia including occupational unions; industry based unions; enterprise based unions and general unions. Most unions are affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions(ACTU), which is the national representative of various trade unions. The trade unions play a significant role in the labour market. First, it can restrict the supply of labour. By organising industrial actions such as strikes, trade unions are able to restrict labour from working, thus decrease the supply of labour. These actions are normally aimed for higher wages. Secondly, trade unions have stronger bargaining power in negotiations with employers. As the trade unions represent a large amount of workers, they have much stronger power when dealing with employers as employers will find it very hard to continue operating the firms once their workers are on strikes. Therefore, unions have more chances to succeed when bargaining for higher wages.

The Australian Labour Party is one of the two major political parties in Australia and is the oldest political party in Australia. The party was formed in the 1890’s, a time when unemployment was high and living conditions were harsh. Workers banded together and the party was formed by trade unions who were seeking a political voice in order to change things in the government. This movement from the trade unions helped to form the party and has meant that trade unions have always had strong links with the Labour Party. The Labour Party’s beliefs and policies are aimed towards putting the people of Australia first and focusing on workers’ rights, middle class families, education, health and sharing wealth and power equally in society. Some of

The labor union movement over the years has shaped the way individuals work and live for both the nicest and unpleasant. Some would think the unions influence has created a power struggle between management and union leaders. In today’s time, some citizens insist the existence of unions are a must to aid in employee freedom, while others view the labor unions as just another problem in the line of progress. The purpose of labor unions was for employed workers to come together and collectively agree on fundamental workplace objectives. The rise of the union came about after the Civil War- responding to the industrial economy. Surprisingly at the least unions became popular within the 1930-50’s and began to slowly decrease,

From early 2006, ‘WorkChoices’ legislation has claimed to invoke protection against unfair dismissal for employees and prioritized individual contracts to undercut award conditions. It also restricted union on accessing to workplaces and industrial action Overall, the main external challenges are caused by financialization which including restructured product and labour markets, antagonistic employers and legislation restriction. In addition, internal challenges contained declining in resources and memberships, which made unions realised that small unions could not survive in a neoliberal environment. Thus, a structural reform of merger wave would be embarked to respond a declining density, resulting in increased membership services and union power.

Employers initially resisted unions as they were seen as a ‘tool of worker power’, and some countries even banned the groups all together (Baoill 2011). Although these restraints have been lifted, restrictions and guidelines have been put in place by government bodies to govern union activity; and employees internationally have the right to form unions (Baoill 2011).

The five trade unions that I know are Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), Australian Education Union, Australian workers Union, International Union of Food and Trade Union Centre of India.

During 2011 employer associations in Australia conducted an active lobbying campaign to introduce legislative changes with respect to industrial relations. Predominantly they were seeking to diminish the power of collective bargaining and increase managerial control under the

This brief history of more than 100 years of the modern trade union movement in the United States can only touch the high spots of activity and identify the principal trends of a "century of achievement." In such a condensation of history, episodes of importance and of great human drama must necessarily be discussed far too briefly, or in some cases relegated to a mere mention.

Historically New Zealand has had an industrial relations system based on principles of collective bargaining, with union and employer representatives negotiating minimum employment terms and conditions. The Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act of 1894 established principles of; wage fixing through conciliation and arbitration; multi-employer awards; blanket coverage of conditions; compulsory union membership; and compulsory arbitration. This system served New Zealand for almost a century with only minor changes. However, during the 1980’s and 1990’s a governmenta impetus towards market oriented policies resulted in legislation that meant a major shakeup and reorganisation with industrial relations.The Industrial Relations Act 1987,