The Wire

In Australia only 23% of workers belong to a union: several decades ago it was closer to 50%. This decline in membership severely impacts on both the union movement’s credibility in the work place and its political influence. Although changing economic patterns and increasing political hostility go some way to explaining this decline, many claim union organisational strategy has also been inadequate. Michael Crosby expands on this case in his candid examination of Australian unions: “Power at Work: Rebuilding The Australian Union Movement” published by Federation Press last week. Crosby, former Director of the ACTU’s Organising Centre and now the Regional Organising Director of the Service Employees International Union in the United States, stresses the need for membership growth and outlines a detailed strategy for achieving it. Sarah Greenlees asked him about some of the negative perceptions of the union movement that he encountered in his research.