Long-Run Structural Change in Australian Trade Unionism

Abstract

Although the leading features of Australian trade union structure have been subject to widespread criticism, few attempts have been made to explain how they came into existence and how they are sustained. In this article existing theories of Australian union structure are reviewed, and it is concluded that these theories are most suitable to an explanation of the stable features of unionism. The article proceeds to examine those factors which initially estab lished the key features of the union structural pattern, emphasising occu pational and regional differentiation in particular. Data on New South Wales- registered trade unions is then examined to establish the character and scale of structural change in the period from 1920 to 1970. Evidence that the growing complexity of white-collar unionism balances increasing concentration among blue-collar unions suggests that changes in workforce composition have a substantial influence upon union structure in the long run. It is concluded that explanations of Australian union structure should be addressed to the areas of change that may be detected rather than towards assumptions of stability. In addition, it is suggested that explanations that rely on legal factors should be balanced by a consideration of economic and political trends.