Abstract
This paper considers the ability and willingness of members of Australia's largest metal union to participate in their union's affairs. The AEU's democratic international constitution, its strong craft tradition and Australia's particular industrial structure all had important influences on participation. A dichotomy exists between (1) participation in the "official" union structure and (2) the traditional eagerness of craftsmen members to act unofficially and quite inde pendently "on the job". Voting figures recorded at Branch meetings provide some guide to participation in the "official" structure. Long run trends, regional variations and the paradoxical effect of government intervention in AEU elections are observed. Finally, some of the implications for participation of the existence of "unfinancial" members are considered.
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