Trade union survival and women workers in Australia

In the past decade there has been concern over the declining rates of unionisation in Australia and this has focussed attention on women workers who historically had a lower rate of union membership than men. This paper examines the evidence in relation to union membership, and demonstrates that the difference in male and female union density has narrowed significantly in recent years. Attention has been drawn to the fact that women were less likely to become union activists and union officials (for example Donaldson, 1991; Manning, 1994; Pocock, 1995, 1997; Rodan, 1990; Thornthwaite, 1992; Yates, 1996). Over the past two decades Australian trade unions have taken on board the reality that recruiting, retaining and addressing the aspirations of women members will be one of the most important factors in reversing the decline in union membership and the union density.