Legislation Prohibiting the Closed Shop in New Zealand: Its Introduction and Consequences

Abstract

Since 1936 a post-entry closed shop has prevailed in all registered private-sector trade unions in New Zealand. In 1983 the then National government passed highly contro versial legislation prohibiting all forms of union security or employment preference clauses. Most unions suffered neglible membership losses in the first six months of voluntary unionism. The chief exceptions were a small group of unions whose mem bership comprises a high proportion of female and part-time workers dispersed throughout numerous workplaces. For the majority of unions, recruitment of new members proved to be a greater problem than the retention of old. The effects upon levels of industrial conflict were more substantial, as unions acted quickly to preserve their closed shop in defiance of the legislation. In December 1984, the newly elected Labour government introduced legislation to Parliament restoring a post-entry closed shop system.