Women in Unions: What Progress in South Australia?

Abstract

Women have traditionally been under-represented in Australian trade unions. Declining union density and the desire for more equitable representation have stimulated union interest in women's participation and led to the adoption of various measures to increase their voice in unions. This paper outlines the results of a survey of women's representation in South Australian unions in 1992; the survey had an 84 per cent union response rate and includes unions covering about 85 per cent of unionists in the state. The results are compared with those of a similar survey in Victoria and earlier estimates.

The study gives a reliable snapshot of women's under-representation, which is persistent at all levels from shopfloor to federal councils. Women are generally under-represented, relative to their share of membership, in around three-quarters of unions at most levels—among workplace representatives, key state committee members and officials. They are especially under-represented at federal level. Overall, women make up 39 per cent of union members in the respondent group of unions, 32 per cent of shop stewards, 31 per cent of state councils, 20 per cent of state executives and 25 per cent of union officials. Women's share of positions declines as power increases: they are concentrated in appointed positions, among organizers and industrial and specialist staff. They are often found in positions outside the normal career paths to senior union office and political power. The study documents actions to increase women's voice in unions and shows that many unions are aware of the problems and taking some kind of action. However, comprehensive programmes have been adopted in only a small number of relatively large unions. The response of South Australian unions to the survey is outlined.