More than 27% of public administration, defence, community services and utility workers belong to a union compared with less than 10% in mining and construction, while those of retirement age are significantly more likely to be members than those under 25, according to new research.
One of the architects of the $2.1 trillion industry super fund movement, Garry Weaven, has warned that it must remain true to its roots and maintain its "members first" ethos even though it increasingly run by financial services professionals.
Teacher strike off as QTU offer matches Catholic counterparts; New edition of Creighton & Stewart's "Labour Law" on sale; ACTU marks 50th anniversary of seminal rights dispute.
Australia's second-biggest union, the SDA, has dropped its long-held policy of opposing same-sex marriage, as national secretary Gerard Dwyer looks to concentrate on core workplace issues.
Over the next 15 years the nation should abolish the FWC and modern awards, set the minimum wage "as low as is politically feasible" and let the welfare system top up earnings, according to a new paper from an influential free market think tank.
The AMWU will gather in Sydney next week to consider major structural changes and a renewed membership drive targeting motor mechanics and those in manufacturing front office roles.
The NUW and MEAA are among the first unions to change their rules to accept no or low-fee community and associate members since the ACTU's call to transform their membership models by adopting "radical thinking".
The CFMEU construction and general division's NSW branch has announced a green ban on a proposed $38 million redevelopment of the Bondi Pavilion in what it says is a bid to maintain it as a publicly-owned community facility.
