Urgency & Opportunity Foreword This is the third edition of Urgency & Opportunity. The ongoing commitment to the preparation of this report (by Rhiannon Carter, Strategic Research Officer) is a reflection of the ACTU’s commitment to assisting unions to plan for their future. The ACTU is pleased that this publication is now anticipated by unions across the country, with the analysis being used to inform planning and strategy within unions. The title was selected in 2010 to reflect the key messages of that year’s report: that while the urgency to organise was very real and the scale of our task large, important opportunities to organise exist for all unions. We have retained it since because these messages are still relevant. The First Edition (using data from the period of the GFC) showed modest but important improvement in our position, with net membership growth and overall density improving for the first time in two decades. Last year’s edition showed a more mixed picture. Raw membership rose significantly in the private sector, but still only enough to keep pace with growth in the size of the workforce, which meant that density was static. Both density and membership fell in the public sector. This year’s report (using data to August 2011) reveals little significant change at the macro level. Overall density is close to static, with a small fall in private sector density offset by a rise in the public sector. Overall, the data since 2006 reveals a movement which in membership terms is treading water. This is replicated at an industry level in most cases. While the precipitous falls in density that began in the 1990s have been arrested, our growth in membership numbers is only enough to roughly keep pace with employment growth (see Figure 1). The result is that overall density has moved within a narrow band at around 18-19% for some years. Given that total employment growth is predicted to be relatively strong in coming years holding this position will require a significant rise in member numbers. The data confirms what we instinctively know: genuine growth (where density increases on a sustainable trend basis) will not be achieved under the status quo. Australian unions need to continue to change and adapt to the environment in which we operate. If we do not do so, a serious economic or political shock could see a return to falling density. Complacency is not an option. We need to have more carefully planned, well-resourced campaigns designed to organise workers on a large scale. I hope that this report contributes to making that happen. In unity,
TIM LYONS ACTU Assistant Secretary July 2012
Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 1
Urgency & Opportunity................................................................................................... 1 Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 Key Findings ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 5 Data Sources ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Interpretation .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Past, Present and Future ........................................................................................................................ 7 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 7 Projections ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Union Density ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Sector .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Gender ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 Union Premiums......................................................................................................................................... 10
Sectors ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 All Sectors .................................................................................................................................................. 11 Private Sector ............................................................................................................................................. 13 Public Sector .............................................................................................................................................. 15
States ............................................................................................................................................................ 17 All States .................................................................................................................................................... 17 New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory ...................................................................................... 18 Victoria ...................................................................................................................................................... 20 Queensland ................................................................................................................................................ 22 South Australia........................................................................................................................................... 24 Western Australia....................................................................................................................................... 26
Industries ................................................................................................................................................... 28 All Industries .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ................................................................................................................. 30 Mining ....................................................................................................................................................... 32 Manufacturing ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services .................................................................................................. 36 Construction .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Wholesale Trade ........................................................................................................................................ 40 Retail Trade................................................................................................................................................ 42 Accommodation and Food Services ............................................................................................................. 44 Transport, Postal and Warehousing ............................................................................................................ 46 Information Media and Telecommunications .............................................................................................. 48 Financial and Insurance Services ................................................................................................................. 50 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services ........................................................................................................ 52 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services ............................................................................................. 54 Administrative and Support Services ........................................................................................................... 56 Public Administration and Safety ................................................................................................................ 58 Education and Training ............................................................................................................................... 60 Health Care and Social Assistance ............................................................................................................... 62 Arts and Recreation Services ....................................................................................................................... 64 Other Services ............................................................................................................................................ 66
Data Sources.............................................................................................................................................. 68 Further Information................................................................................................................................ 68
2 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Key Findings Density In 2011 there were:
9,993,600 employees, 1,834,700 employees who were a trade union member in their main job, and 18.4% union density.
Union density has been consistently decreasing since 1990 where the overall rate was 40.5%. In recent years there has been a stabilisation of this decline in density with a rate of 18.3% in 2010. Union membership numbers have faced a 30.9% reduction since 1990, while employee numbers have increased 34.3%. However this has slowed in the past five years since 2006, with union membership increasing 8.3%.
Union density has decreased by over a third from 66.8% in 1990 to 43.4% in 2011 in the public sector. Union density has almost halved from 30.8% in 1990 to 13.2% in 2011 in the private sector. Male union density is 18.4% and female union density is 18.3% in 2011. Tasmania has the highest level of union density with 25.2% of employees being members of a trade union. New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory all experienced an increase in union density in 2011.
Union Premiums The data shows that on pay and important conditions union members are better off than non-union members.
Employees, who were trade union members earned, on average $1189 a week compared to $1029 for a nonunion member. This is a union wage premium of $160 a week or 15.5%, an increase on the 2010 figure of $124 a week. The overwhelming majority (91.6%) of union members had paid leave entitlements compared to only 65.5% of non-union members.
Projections Using Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) employment projection figures the growth in employees is projected to be 1.4% per annum to 2016.
By this projection, employee numbers would grow to 10.7 million by 2016.
To maintain a steady level of union density through to 2016:
Union membership needs to grow to 1,971,200 this represents a net increase of 133,500 on current membership levels or 7.3% growth. This is a yearly membership growth of approximately 27,000 more than the growth in membership that occurred from 2010 to 2011.
To return to the 2006 density figure of 20.3% in 2016:
Union membership needs to expand to 2,174,700 members, representing a net increase of 337,000 members or 10.3% over the five years. This growth is equivalent to a yearly growth in membership of approximately 67,000, compared to the growth in members from 2010 to 2011 of 49,900.
Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 3
Demographics Close to two thirds (66.0%) of employees had never been a union member, 14.7% have previously been a member of a union and 19.2% are currently union members (including employees not trade union members in their main job). Those who had never been a union member were more likely to be working part time, while union members were more likely to be working full time, at 77.6% compared to 68.5% of employees who had never been a member. There was a clear difference in age profiles between the groups of employees:
51.6% of employees who had never been a member of a union were aged under 35, 52.0% of union members were aged between 35 and 54 and a quarter (26.9%) were aged under 35. Encouragingly for unions, close to one in twelve (8.2%) members were aged under 25. Employees who had previously been a member of a union had the oldest age profile with 27.5% aged over 55.
Private and Public The private sector is:
8.3 million employees working in the sector in 2011 a slight increase from 8.2 million in 2010. 83.0% of all employees in the workforce, this has shifted slight from 83.6% in 2010 and 81.8% in 2009. 13.2% (1.10 million) of employees were union members in their main job.
The public sector is:
A fifth of the size of the private sector, with 1.7 million employees in 2011 17.0% of the overall workforce; this is a slight increase on 16.4% in 2010. 43.4% (737,400) of employees are union members in their main job.
Industries The industries with the largest proportion of union members are:
Education and Training with 39.0%, Public Administration and Safety with 35.8%, Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste services with 32.5%, and Transport, Postal and Warehousing also with 32.5%.
The industries with the largest number of union members were:
Healthcare and Social Assistance with 341,100 members, Education and Training with 318,700 members, and Public Administration and Safety 256,100 members.
The largest industries by overall employees were:
Health Care and Social Assistance with 1.2 million, Retail Trade with 1.1 million, and Manufacturing with 870,100 employees.
4 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Introduction This is the third edition of Urgency & Opportunity. The purpose of this report, and previous editions, is to analyse the published and unpublished Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership (EEBTUM) survey. The survey was conducted throughout Australia in August 2011 and is a portion of the sample used for the Labour Force survey. The results were published in April 2012. This report updates the figures and analysis from previous editions with some additional data and changes including:
The changing of the tables including union membership status to represent percentage figures rather than raw numbers, and The exclusion of average unemployment rates for each industry.
The analysis also includes selected comparisons with 2010 data as well as the use of time series data. The data tables are available from the ACTU – please see the Data Sources section at the end of this report for further details and contact information.
Methodology Data Sources The main data source for this report is the ABS Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership (EEBTUM) survey. The analysis has been completed by using both the public release 6310.0 - Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, Australia, August 20111 and additional customised reports from this data set ordered by the ACTU. Supplementary data sources were also used, which include:
DEEWR Industry Employment Projections report 20122 DEEWR Industry Employment Projections data 2012 ABS Report: 1292.0 - Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)
The employment projections used in the analysis are ACTU calculations, using DEEWR data as the basis for these calculations.
Interpretation There are a number of caveats and points of clarification for the data and its interpretation that must be taken into account when considering this report. These are:
Sample size ‘Employees’ and ‘Employed persons’ ‘Trade Union member in main job’ and ‘Trade union member’ Paid Leave Entitlements Industry Employment Projections
Sample size
The Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership (EEBTUM) survey is a portion of the full Labour Force survey (LFS) and this places limitations on the data available. Due to the small sample sizes, detailed membership data was only available for NSW & ACT, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia – though headline data was available for all states and the totals for Australia include all states. As in previous years, the data by industry was only available at the division level of the ANZSIC classification, consisting of the 19 main industry groups. Detailed demographic data for each industry was only available when using the categories of Currently a trade union member , Previously a trade union member and Never been a trade union member. Detailed information on the length of trade union membership is only available without demographic data. 1
The full report can be found at www.abs.gov.au DEEWR Employment Projections Reports and Data can be found here: http://www.deewr.gov.au/lmip/default.aspx?LMIP/Publications/IndustryEmploymentProjections Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 5 2
‘Employees’ and ‘Employed Persons’
The total workforce figures and all figures used in this report from the EEBTUM relate only to ‘employees’ not all ‘employed persons’ as used in the ABS 6202.0 - Labour Force publication. The EEBTUM includes only ‘employees’ and is approximately 88.1% of the total ‘employed persons’ as it excludes employers, own account workers and independent contractors3. In August 2011 there were:
11,344,700 ‘employed persons’ 9,993,600 ‘employees’
Any reference to ‘workforce’ or ‘employees’ in this publication refers only to the EEBTUM data and does not include all ‘employed persons’. ‘Union member in main job’ and ‘Union member’
In the available data there are two ways that information is collected on union members, either:
Employees who were members of a trade union in their main job (1,834,700), or Employees who were members of a trade union (1,919,100)
This produces two slightly different results for union density across employees, but given the historical reporting and also that employees are classified as employees in main job, the figure that is used for union density is the trade union member in main job. The difference in density using the two figures is shown below:
18.4% density for union members in main job, and 19.2% density for all union members.
All of the detailed data regarding length of membership and demographic information used in this report is based on total trade union membership, however the data used for the time series and projection charts is based on union members in main job as this is the way the time series is available. Consequently, there is a slight discrepancy between time series and current density and the data used in the analysis of length of union membership and selected demographic information. Paid Leave Entitlements
In the data available for employees with paid leave entitlements, owner managers of incorporated enterprises (OMIEs) are excluded. In 2011 there were 724,100 OMIEs or 7.2% of all employees. The data for employees with paid leave entitlements is still used in this report and this exclusion must be taken into account when reviewing this analysis. Industry Employment Projections
The data used to estimate the projections for employment in each industry comes from DEEWR. The data is for all ‘employed persons’ within each industry, however, ACTU calculations have applied the projections to ‘employees’ as available in the EEBTUM data. In most industry divisions ‘employees’ consist 80% or more of the total ‘employed persons’4. The DEEWR projections are from February 2012 until 2016-17. For the purposes of this analysis the projections have been applied to the EEBTUM from August 2011 through until 2016. There is a level of uncertainty and approximation with any projections however the ACTU believes the calculations and use of the DEEWR data is reasonable for the purposes of this report and analysis.
3
For more information see 6102.0.55.001 - Labour Statistics: Concepts, Sources and Methods, Apr 2007 at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6102.0.55.001 4 Industries that are below 80% are Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Construction, Other services and Administrative and support services 6 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Past, Present and Future Overview In 2011 there were 9,993,600 employees of which 1,834,700 employees were trade union members in their main job, which is 18.4% union density. Union density has been decreasing consistently from 1990 where the overall rate was 40.5%. In recent years there has been a stabilisation of this decline in density with a union density rate of 18.3% in 2010. This first figure is a representation of the relative size of the Australia workforce, divided between the public and private sectors and also employees aged under and over 45 years: The decrease in union density can be attributed to a number of factors, namely, the rise in employment numbers and a failure of union membership to keep pace with this growth, along with a reduction in overall union membership numbers. Union membership numbers have faced a 30.9% reduction since 1990, while employee numbers have increased 34.3%. However this has slowed in the past five years since 2006, with union membership increasing 8.3%. This report provides an analysis of trade union membership across states, sectors and industries and highlights both the extent of the situation, as well as providing valuable information of the changing nature of the Australian workforce and priority growth areas for the union movement.
Projections Figure 1 shows the total number of employees, the total number of employees who report being a union member in their main job and the corresponding calculated level of union density. The figure clearly shows that union membership has failed to keep pace with the increase in employee numbers resulting in a decline in union density over time. The figure also shows some projections for the five years following 2011. Using DEEWR employment projection figures the growth in employees is projected to be 1.4 per cent per annum to 2016. In this scenario employee numbers are projected to grow to 10.7 million in 2016. The graph also projects what net growth5 would be required in union membership numbers to firstly maintain a steady level of density and secondly, increase density to the level of 2006 by 2016. To maintain a steady level of union density through to 2016, union membership needs to grow to 1,971,200; this represents a net increase of 133,500 on current membership levels or 7.3% growth. This represents a yearly growth of approximately 26,700 in membership. The union movement needs to expand membership to 2,174,700 members by 2016 in order to return to the 2006 density figure of 20.3%, this represents a net increase of 337,000 members or 10.3% over the next five years. This growth is equivalent to a yearly growth of approximately 67,000, compared to the growth in members from 2010 to 2011 of 49,900.
5
Membership growth is understood to be net growth in this scenario, which is the number of additional members required assuming that all current members are retained. Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 7
Figure 1: All Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 Trade union member in main job
12,000
Employees
Union Density %
45.0%
Projections Union Density, 40.5% 40.0% 9,993,600
10,713,000
10,000 35.0%
8,000
30.0%
'000
Employees, 6,565,600
An increase of 337,000 members to 2,174,700 would be needed by 2016 to return to the 2006 density levels of 20.3%
25.0%
6,000 20.3% 20.0%
18.4% 18.4% 4,000
15.0% Union member, 2,659,600
An increase of 133,500 members to a total of 1,971,200 will be needed by 2016 to maintain the current level of density at 18.4%
10.0% 2,174,700
2,000
1,837,700 1,971,200 5.0%
0
8 | Urgency &1990 Opportunity – ACTU 2012 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
0.0%
Union Density Sector Figure 2 shows union density for the public and private sectors as well as for all employees from 1990 to 2011. Since 1990 density amongst all three groups has decreased, however in more recent years overall levels have begun to stabilise. Union density has decreased by over a third in the public sector from 66.8% in 1990 to 43.4% in 2011. While in the private sector, density of union members has almost halved from 30.8% in 1990 to 13.2% in 2011. From 2008 to 2011 union density has been more volatile in the public sector with an increase in 2009, a decrease in 2010 and then an increase again in 2011. In contrast, private sector density has remained relatively stable, recording a slight decrease from 2008 to 2011. Figure 2: Union Density by Sector – 1990 to 2011 (%) 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0%
66.8%
60.0% 50.0%
43.4%
40.5% 40.0% 30.0% 30.8%
18.4%
20.0% 10.0%
13.2%
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Public
Private
Total
Gender In 2010 union density amongst female employees was higher than for male employees for the first time. The 2011 figures do not show a continuation of this trend with male union density increasing from 17.9% in 2010 to 18.4% in 2011 and female union density decreasing from 18.7% in 2010 to 18.3% in 2011. Figure 3 clearly shows that since 1990 male and female union density has been converging and the 2011 data is a realisation of this trend with density for both genders being only 0.1% different. There are a number of reasons for this convergence, firstly the increasing number of women joining the workforce and becoming union members in this period and secondly a reduction in overall male union membership numbers.
Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 9
Figure 3: Union Density by Gender – 1990 to 2011 (%) 50.0% 45.0%
45.0%
40.0% 35.0% 34.6% 30.0% 25.0% 18.4%
20.0% 15.0%
18.3%
10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Males
Females
Union Premiums Employees, who were trade union members in their main job,6 earned on average $1189 a week, compared to $1029 for a non-union members, representing a union wage premium of $160 a week or 15.5%, an increase on the 2010 figure of $124 a week. The union premium was present for both full time and part time workers. Full time workers who were union members in their main job earned on average $55 or 4.2% more a week than their non-member counterparts. Part time workers who were union members fared the best, earning on average $187 or 40.7% a week more than employees who were not union members. There is also a gender element to the union premium, with female employees who were union members earning on average $180 or 22.5% more than employees who were not union members. Full time female union members earned $94 or 8.4% more than female non-members and female part time members earned $183 or 39.2% more than non-members. The union wage premium also existed for male union members however it was less than for female members. Male union members earned on average $135 or 10.9% more than non-members. Full time male union members earned $33 or 2.3% more than male non-members and female part time members earned $92 or 43.6% more than nonmembers. These figures show that the union premium exists for all workers, but is especially important for part time union members. The overwhelming majority (91.6%) of union members had paid leave entitlements, compared to only 65.5% of nonunion members, demonstrating that there is a clear premium for union members when it comes to paid leave entitlements. Almost all trade union members received superannuation paid by employers, at 97.8%, compared to 88.4% of non-union members.
6
The figures for average weekly earnings are calculated based on employees who were ’union members in their main job’ rather than for all union members. 10 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Sectors All Sectors In 2011 the total workforce consisted of 9.99 million employees, up from 9.8 million in 2010. Close to two thirds (66.0%) of these employees had never been a union member. This is a slight decrease from 66.2% in 2010 and 64.0% in 2009. The percentage of employees who had previously been members of a trade union remained steady in 2011 at 14.7% and 19.2% were union members compared to 19.1% in 20117. Figure 4 shows union membership by sector in 2011 for all employees, demonstrating the significantly different patterns of union membership between the public and private sectors. The proportion of employees who were current union members in the public sector is 44.5% compared to 13.9% in the private sector. Figure 4: Union Membership Status by Sector – 2011 100% 90% 80%
680,600
70% 5,912,300
60% 50%
6,600,600
261,600
40% 30% 20%
1,474,000
756,500
1,209,700
10%
1,159,200
1,919,100
0% Public Currently a Union Member
Private Previously a Trade Union Member
All employees Never been a Trade Union Member
Figure 5 is a detailed breakdown of union membership status, showing the length of current membership for current members and the time since membership for previous union members. Amongst members the most common length of membership was more than ten years at 9.3% of all union members. Figure 5: All Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Never been a Trade Union Member 66.0%
Member > 10 years 9.3% Member 5 to 9 years 3.3% Member 3 to 4 years 2.2% Member 1 to 2 years 2.4%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.7%
Member < 1 year 2.0% Ex-member > 10 years 8.8% Ex-member 5 to 9 years ago 2.5% 7
Ex-member 3 to 4 years ago 1.4%
Ex-member 1 to 2 years ago 1.4%
These figures use data for all union members, not just union members in main job. This accounts for the discrepancy between the headline figures. Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 11
Close to two thirds (66.0%) of employees had never been a trade union member, 14.8% had previously been a member of a trade union and 19.1% were currently members of a trade union. The most common length of time since a previous member had been in a union was more than 10 years, at 8.8% of all employees. The most common length for an employee to have been a union member was also more than 10 years, at 9.3% of all employees. The next figure shows the trade union membership status for all employees by selected characteristics, namely age, gender, country of birth and working arrangements. In previous editions of this report these charts have been shown using the raw number data â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in the 2012 edition this has been changed to percentage figures to better facilitate analysis of the composition of each of the membership groups. Figure 6: All Employees Union Membership by Selected Characteristics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%) 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
Figure 6 shows that union members are slightly male dominated with 53.5% of members male and 46.5% female. Employees who have never been a member of a union have the most even gender split with 52.0% male and 48.0% female employees. Employees who have previously been a member of a union have the highest proportion of men at 57.2% compared to 42.8% women. This group also had the largest proportion of employees aged between 45 and 54 at 30.7% or 452,400 employees. Those who had never been a union member were more likely to be working part time, while union members were more likely to be working full time at 77.6% compared to 68.5% of employees who had never been a member. There was a clear difference in age profiles between the groups of employees, with 51.6% of employees who had never been a member of a union aged under 35, while in comparison just over half (52.0%) of union members were aged between 35 and 54 and around a quarter (26.9%) were aged under 35. Employees who had previously been a member of a union had the oldest age profile with 27.5% aged over 55. Encouragingly for union, close to one in twelve (8.2%) members were aged under 25. Employees who had never been a union member were most likely to be born overseas, while employees who had previously been a union member were most likely to be born in Australia. This could be linked to the older age profile of former members.
12 | Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012
Private Sector The private sector workforce constitutes the majority of the overall workforce with 8.3 million employees working in the sector, a slight increase from 8.2 million in 2010. The private sector is 83.0% of all employees, which has shifted slightly from 83.6% in 2010 and 81.8% in 2009. In 2011 1.10 million private sector employees were union members, which is a decrease from 1.12 million in 2010. Of the private sector employees, 13.2% were union members, which is a reduction of more than half since the 1990 level of 30.8%. This mirrors the overall results for union density, which is unsurprising given the high proportion of overall employees who work in the private sector. Since 1990 the number of union members in the private sector has decreased from 1.47 million to 1.09 million, demonstrating that the decrease in density cannot solely be attributed to falling membership numbers, rather the failure to keep pace with the growth of sector, from 4.8 million employees in 1990 to 8.3 million in 2011, has been a significant factor in decreasing union density. Figure 7: Private Sector Employees, Union Members (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000) and Union Density (%) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1990 to 2011 9,000 8,000
35.0% 8295.1
Union Density, 30.8%
30.0%
7,000 25.0% 6,000 5,000
Employees, 4792.9
20.0%
4,000
13.2%
15.0%
3,000 10.0% 2,000
Members, 1475.4
1097.3
1,000 0
5.0%
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Members
Employees
Union Density
Figure 8 shows the breakdown of union member status for all employees in the private sector. These figures differ from the time series and overall density figures due to different datasets being used for the analysis8. According to this data the majority (71.4%) of employees had never been a union member, 14.6% had previously been a member and 13.9% are currently union members. One in 16 employees in the private sector have been a union member for more than 10 years, while 1.7% or 140,900 had become union members in the year prior. The proportion of employees who had been a union member over 10 years prior was 8.9%, while only 0.6% had ceased to be members in the year prior.
8
This can be attributed to slight difference in the datasets for trade union members in main job compared to all trade union members, as well as the difference between the headline and special order data from the ABS. Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 13
Figure 8: Private Sector Employees by Union Membership Status â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%)
Never been a Trade Union Member 71.4%
Member >10 years 6.1% Member 5-9 years 2.4% Member 3-4 years 1.8% Member 1-2 years 2.0% Member < 1 year 1.7%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.6%
Ex-member > 10 years ago 8.9% Ex-member 5-9 years ago 2.4%
Ex-member 1-2 years ago Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.3% 1.3%
Figure 9 shows union membership status broken down by selected demographic characteristics. The private sector is male dominated with 55.7% of employees being men. Of all the groups trade union members were mostly likely to be male at 61.4%, and employees who had never been a member of a trade union were more likely to be female (46.5%). A quarter (25.5%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 25, compared to 12.8% of employees who were trade union members. Half (50.5%) of private sector union members were aged between 35 and 54. Close to a third of previous members were aged between 45 and 54, the most concentrated of any of the groups of employees. Figure 9: Private Sector Union Membership by Selected Characteristics - 2011 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
14 | Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
Public Sector The public sector is significantly smaller than the private sector, being approximately a fifth of the size, with 1.7 million employees in 2011, a slight increase from 1.6 million in 2010. The public sector is 17.0% of the overall workforce, which is a slight increase on 16.4% in 2010. The difference between the two sectors extends to density, with union density being significantly higher in the public sector at 43.4% or 737,400 (an increase from 663,600 in 2010) of employees being members, compared to 13.2% in the private sector. However the two sectors do have one thing in common, the drop in union density has been similar since 1990, with the public sector union density decreasing from 66.8% in 1990 to 43.4% in 2011. Since 1990 the number of union members in the public sector has decreased from 1.2 million to 737,400, demonstrating that the decrease in density in the public sector can be attributed more to a reduction in union member numbers as employee numbers in the public sector have not significantly changed from 1.8 million in 1990 to 1.7 million in 2011, and being at the lowest point of 1.4 million in 2001. Figure 10: Public Sector Employees, Union Members (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000) and Union Density (%) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1990 to 2011 2,000 1,800 1,600
80.0% Employees, 1772.6 1698.6 Union Density, 66.8%
70.0%
60.0%
1,400 50.0%
1,200
'000
1,000
43.4%
Members, 1184.2
40.0%
800
30.0% 737.4
600
20.0% 400 10.0%
200 0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Members
Employees
Union Density
Looking at the union membership status profile of the public sector, a quarter (24.7%) of all employees in the sector have been union members for 10 years or more, compared to 6.1% for the same group in the private sector. The public sector had a higher proportion of employees who has previously been union members at 15.4%, compared to 14.6% in the private sector. Of all employees 3.6% or 60,800 had joined a union in the year prior, while only 0.8% of employees had ceased being a union member in the same period. Figure 12 shows union membership status broken down by selected demographic characteristics. Within the public sector union members are most likely to be aged 45-54, with 31.7% of members in this age bracket. Of those employees who had never been a union member, the same proportion (31.7%) was aged 25 to 34, demonstrating that younger workers are a strong potential growth area for union membership.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 15
Figure 11: Public Sector Employees by Union Membership Status â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%)
Member 5-9 years 7.5%
Member > 10 years 24.7%
Member 3-4 years 4.5%
Never been a Trade Union Member 40.1%
Member 1-2 years 4.3% Member < 1 year 3.6% Ex-member > 10 years ago Ex-member 5-9 years 8.0% ago 3.1% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.8%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.8% Ex-member 1-2 years ago 1.7%
The public sector is female dominated with 59.9% of employees being female. Of all the groups, trade union members were mostly likely to be male at 41.3%, and employees who had never been a member of a trade union were more likely to be female at 61.7%. Union members were also most likely to be working on a full-time basis with 77.6% in full-time work, compared to 72.1% of those who has never been a member. Employees who had previously been a member of a trade union were most likely to be working on a part-time basis, at 29.4% of that group. Figure 12: Public Sector Union Membership by Selected Characteristics - 2011 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
16 | Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
States All States The below figure shows the trend of union density over the past six years for each state and territory. Overall the states have mirrored the trend of decreasing density levels over that period. Of all the states, Tasmania has the highest level of union density with a quarter (25.2%) of employees being members of a trade union. New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory all experienced an increase in union density in 2011. Figure 13: Union Density by State – 2006-2011 30.0%
25.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0% New South Wales
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Australia
Figure 14 shows union membership status by state for 20119. Of the states with this data available, South Australia has the largest proportion of union members at 20.1% and also the highest proportion of employees who have previously been a union member at 16.6%. Western Australia has the lowest proportion of union members and the highest proportion of employees who have never been a union member. Figure 14: Union Membership Status by State – 2011 100% 90% 80% 70%
2,221,000
1,672,000
1,338,000
446,000
476,000
368,000
307,000
117,000
646,000
488,000
391,000
142,000
184,000
NSW and ACT
Victoria
Queensland
South Australia
Western Australia
736,000
60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
153,000
0% Currently a Trade Union Member
9
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
Not all states are shown because this data is not made available by the ABS. Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 17
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory The workforce of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (combined) increased to 3.3 million in 2011, from 3.2 million in 2010, making NSW and the ACT 33.5% of the overall workforce, and the largest state grouping of employees. In 2011 the number of union members was 617,000, an increase from 585,100 in 2010. The below figure shows the level of union density, the number of employees and union membership numbers from 1990 to 2011 in NSW and the ACT. The proportion of employees who were union members increased in 2011 to 18.5% from 18.1% in 2010. However since 1990 union density has more than halved and the number of union members has fallen by more than 300,000. Figure 15: NSW and ACTU Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density – 1990 to 2011 4,000
45.0%
Union Density, 41.0%
3343.4
3,500
35.0%
3,000 2,500
40.0%
Employees, 2212.2
30.0% 25.0%
2,000 18.5%
20.0%
1,500 1,000
15.0%
Members, 907.3 617.0
500
10.0% 5.0%
0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Members
Employees
Union Density
Figure 16 shows a detailed breakdown of the membership status of employees in NSW and the ACT. Two thirds (66.4%) of employees had never been a member of a trade union, 19.4% are currently union members and 14.2% had previously been a member. Figure 16: NSW and ACT Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Member >10 years 10.1%
Never been a Trade Union Member 66.4%
Member 5-9 years 3.3% Member 3-4 years 1.9% Member 1-2 years 2.3% Member < 1 year 1.9% Ex-member > 10 years ago 9.0%
18 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Ex-member 5-9 years ago 2.2% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.3%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.6% Ex-member 1-2 years ago 1.2%
One in ten (10.1%) of all employees has been a union member for more than ten years, while 1.9% or 62,000 were recent members of less than a year. Only a 0.6% of employees had ceased to be a union member in the last year. The next figure shows employees in NSW and the ACT by union membership status and selected characteristics. Over half (51.9%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 35, compared to 25.7% of employees who were union members. Employees who have previously been a member of union had the oldest age profile with 59.3% aged over 45, compared to 50.7% of employees who are union members. Figure 17: NSW and the ACT Union Membership by Selected Characteristics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%) 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
The workforce in NSW and the ACT is male dominated with 52.9% of employees being male. Of all the groups employees who had previously been trade union members were mostly likely to be male at 56.5%, while employees who were union members and had never been union members were 52.5% and 52.2% male respectively. Over three quarters (76.3%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had never been a member of trade union were most likely to work on a part time basis at 31.2%. Employees who had never been a union member were most likely to be born overseas, while employees who had previously been a union member were most likely to be born in Australia.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 19
Victoria The workforce in Victoria remained steady at 2.5 million employees in 2011, which represents a quarter (25.3%) of total employees. In 2011 the number of union members was 468,300, an increase from 455,300 in 2010. Figure 18 shows the number of employees, union members and union density in Victoria from 1990 to 2011. The proportion of employees who were union members increased in 2011 to 18.5% from 18.4% in 2010. However since 1990 union density has more than halved and the number of union members has fallen by more than 250,000. Figure 18: Victoria Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – 1990 to 2011 3000.0
2500.0
2000.0
50.0% Union Density, 40.8%
2527.6
40.0% 35.0% Employees, 1764.3
30.0%
1500.0
25.0% 18.5%
1000.0
45.0%
Member, 719.4
20.0% 15.0%
468.3
500.0
10.0% 5.0%
0.0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Member Employees Union Density
Figure 19 shows a detailed breakdown of union membership status in Victoria. Close to two thirds (66.2%) of employees in Victoria have never been a member of a trade union, 19.3% are currently union members and 14.6% have previously been a member of a trade union. Figure 19: Victoria Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Never been a Trade Union Member 66.2%
Member >10 years 9.1% Member 5-9 years 3.4% Member 3-4 years 2.4% Member 1-2 years 2.2% Member < 1 year 2.2% Ex-member > 10 years ago 8.3%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.6%
Ex-member 1-2 years ago Ex-member 5-9 years ago 1.6% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 2.6% 1.5%
20 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
One in eight (12.5%) of all employees in Victoria has been a union member for five years or more, while 2.2% or 56,300 were recent members with membership of under a year. Only 0.6% of employees had ceased their union membership under a year ago. Figure 20 shows employees in Victoria by union membership and selected characteristics. Half (50.7%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 35, compared to 27.2% of employees who were union members. Employees who have previously been a member of a union were the oldest with 58.3% aged over 45, compared to 48.3% of employees who are union members. Figure 20: Victoria Union Membership by Selected Characteristics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%)
90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
The workforce in Victoria is male dominated with 53.2% of employees being male. Of all the groups employees who had previously been trade union members were mostly likely to be male at 57.8%, while employees who had never been union members were most likely to be female at 48.5%. Four out of five (79.2%) of union members worked on a full time basis, this is the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had never been a member of trade union were most likely to work on a part time basis at 32.0%.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 21
Queensland The workforce in Queensland remained steady at 2 million employees in 2011, which represents 20.4% of total employees. In 2011 the number of union members was 372,900 a slight decrease from 373,200, in 2010. The proportion of employees who were union members decreased in 2011 to 18.3% from 18.8% in 2010. Figure 21 shows the number of employees, union members and union density in Queensland from 1990 to 2011. Figure 21: Queensland Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – 1990 to 2011 2500.0
45.0% Union Density, 38.5%
2035.2
2000.0
40.0% 35.0% 30.0%
1500.0 25.0%
Employees, 1066.6
18.3%
20.0%
1000.0 15.0% 500.0
Members, 410.1
372.9
10.0% 5.0%
0.0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Member
Employees
Union Density
Figure 22 shows a detailed breakdown of union membership status in Queensland. Close to two thirds (65.7%) of employees in Victoria have never been a member of a trade union, 19.2% are currently union members and 15.1% have previously been a member of a trade union. Figure 22: Queensland Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Member >10 years 9.1%
Never been a Trade Union Member 65.7%
Member 5-9 years 3.1% Member 3-4 years 2.6% Member 1-2 years 2.5% Member < 1 year 1.9% Ex-member < 1 year ago Ex-member > 10 years ago 0.6% 9.3% Ex-member 5-9 years ago Ex-member 1-2 years ago 2.7% 1.3% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.2%
22 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
One in eight (12.2%) of all employees in Queensland have been a union member for five years or more, while 1.9% or 59,200 were recent members with membership of under a year. Close to one in 10 employees (9.3%) were previous members of a trade union more than 10 years ago. Only 0.6% have ceased being member in the preceding year. Figure 23 shows employees in Queensland by union membership and selected characteristics. Half (53.6%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 35, compared to 26.9% of employees who were union members. Employees who have previously been member of union were the oldest with 58.6% aged over 45 compared to 47.5% of employees who are union members. Figure 23: Queensland Union Membership by Selected Characteristics â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%) 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
The workforce in Queensland is male dominated with 52.7% of employees being male. Employees who had previously been trade union members were mostly likely to be male 57.9%, while employees who had never been union members were most likely to be female at 48.7%. The majority (80.7%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had never been a member of trade union were most likely to work on a part time basis at 31.2%.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 23
South Australia In 2011 the workforce in South Australia was 705,400 employees, an increase from 698,800 in 2010. There were 135,100 union members in 2011, a slight decrease from 136,100 in 2010. Union density in 2011 was 19.2%, a drop from 19.5% in 2010 and has more than halved since 1990. Figure 24 shows the number of employees, union members and union density in South Australia from 1990 to 2011. Figure 24: South Australia Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – 1990 to 2011 800.0 700.0
50.0% Union Density, 44.5%
705.4
45.0% 40.0%
600.0
Employees, 543.5
35.0%
500.0
30.0%
400.0 300.0
25.0% 19.2%
Members, 241.8
20.0% 15.0%
200.0 135.1 100.0
10.0% 5.0%
0.0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Members
Employees
Union Density
Figure 25 shows a detailed breakdown of union member status of employees in South Australia. Over 3 in 5 (63.3%) employees in South Australia have never been a member of a trade union, 20.1% are currently union members and 16.5% have previously been a member of a trade union. Figure 25: South Australia Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Never been a Trade Union Member 63.3%
Member >10 years 9.4% Member 5-9 years 3.5% Member 3-4 years 2.2% Member 1-2 years 2.8% Member < 1 year 2.2% Ex-member > 10 years ago 9.1% Ex-member 5-9 years ago 3.1% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.6%
24 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.1% Ex-member 1-2 years ago 1.6%
Close to one in ten (9.4%) employees had been union members for more than ten years. In addition, 2.2% of employees were recent union members with union membership for less than a year, compared to 1.1% of employees who had ceased their union membership under a year ago. Figure 26 shows employees in South Australia by union membership and selected characteristics. Close to half (49.1%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 35, compared to almost a third 31.1% of employees who were union members. Employees who have previously been a member of a union were the oldest with 56.2% aged over 45, compared to 49.2% of employees who are union members. Figure 26: South Australia Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
The workforce in South Australia is male dominated with 52.3% of employees being male. Of all the groups employees who had previously been trade union members were mostly likely to be male 54.1%, while employees who had never been union members were most likely to be female at 48.7%. The majority (74.4%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had never been a member of trade union were most likely to work on a part time basis at a third or 34.9%.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 25
Western Australia In 2011 the workforce in Western Australia remained steady at 1.1 million. There were 174,100 union members in 2011, a slight decrease from 174,800 in 2010. Union density in 2011 was 16.2%, a drop from 16.4% in 2010 and has more than halved since 1990. Figure 24 shows the number of employees, union members and union density in Western Australia from 1990 to 2011. Figure 27: Western Australia Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – 1990 to 2011 1200.0
1000.0
45.0% 1073.7
Union Density, 35.4%
40.0% 35.0%
800.0
30.0% Employees, 617.7
25.0%
600.0 16.2% 400.0
20.0% 15.0%
Members, 218.6
174.1
200.0
10.0% 5.0%
0.0
0.0% 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Members
Employees
Union Density
Figure 28 shows a detailed breakdown of union membership status in Western Australia. Over two thirds (68.6%) of employees in Western Australia have never been a member of a trade union, 17.0% are currently union members and 14.3% have previously been a member of a trade union. Figure 28: Western Australia Employees by Union Membership Status – 2011 (%)
Never been a Trade Union Member 68.6%
Member >10 years 7.4% Member 5-9 years 3.1% Member 3-4 years 2.3% Member 1-2 years 2.4% Member < 1 year 1.8% Ex-member > 10 years ago 8.0%
Ex-member 5-9 years ago 2.4% Ex-member 3-4 years ago 1.6%
26 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Ex-member < 1 year ago 0.8% Ex-member 1-2 years ago 1.5%
One in ten (10.5%) employees had been union members for more than five years. In addition, 1.8% of employees were recent union members with union membership for less than a year, compared to 0.8% of employees who had ceased their union membership under a year ago. Figure 29 shows employees in South Australia by union membership and selected characteristics. Half (51.3%) of employees who had never been a trade union member were aged under 35, compared to almost a quarter, 26.7% of employees who were union members. Employees who have previously been a member of a union were the oldest with 56.9% aged over 45, compared to 50.2% of employees who are union members. Figure 29: Western Australia Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a Trade Union Member
Previously a Trade Union Member
Never been a Trade Union Member
The workforce in Western Australia is male dominated with 54.8% of employees being male. Of all the groups employees who had previously been trade union members were mostly likely to be male 58.6%, while employees who had never been union members were most likely to be female at 45.9%. The majority (76.3%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had never been a member of trade union were most likely to work on a part time basis at 30.1%.
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 27
Industries All Industries The union membership status by industry is shown in figure 30. The industries with the largest proportion of union members are Education and Training with 39.0%, Public Administration and Safety with 35.8% and Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste services with 32.5% and Transport, Postal and Warehousing also with 32.5%. Figure 30: Union Membership Status by Industry - 2011 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Mining Manufacturing Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Construction Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Accommodation and Food Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing Information Media and Telecommunications Financial and Insurance Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Administrative and Support Services Public Administration and Safety Education and Training Health Care and Social Assistance Arts and Recreation Services Other services Currently a Trade Union Member Previously a Trade Union Member Never been a Trade Union Member
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
The industries with the largest number of union members were Healthcare and Social Assistance with 341,100 members; Education and Training with 318,700 members; and Public Administration and Safety 256,100 members. The largest industries by overall employees were Health care and Social Assistance with 1.2 million; Retail Trade with 1.1 million; and Manufacturing with 870,100 employees. The industries predicted to experience the largest per annum employment growth up to 2016-17 are Mining at 7.5%; Health Care and Social Assistance at 3.4%; Construction; and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services both predicted to grow at a rate of 2.4% per annum. The only industry expected to contract over the same period is Manufacturing at -1.9% per annum. Figure 31 shows union density by industry from 2007 to 2011. It shows that a number of industries have increased in density from 2010 to 2011.
28 | Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012
Figure 31: Union Density by Industry (%) – 2007 to 2011 Education and training
44.0%
Public administration and safety Transport, postal and warehousing Electricity, gas, water and waste services Health care and social assistance Mining
40.0%
36.0%
32.0%
Manufacturing
28.0% Construction Information media and telecommunications Retail trade
24.0%
20.0%
Arts and recreation services Financial and insurance services Other services
16.0%
12.0%
Administrative and support services Wholesale trade
8.0%
4.0%
0.0% 2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Accommodation and food services Rental, hiring and real estate services Agriculture, forestry and fishing Professional, scientific and technical services
Figure 32: Workforce Composition by Industry (%) – 2011 1.3% 1.6% 1.7% 1.7% 2.0% 2.2% 3.1%
12.4%
3.3% 11.4%
3.8% 4.0% 5.1%
8.8%
This figure shows the breakdown of the workforce by industry. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the single largest industry, with employees accounting for 12.4% of all employees. Retail Trade was the second largest, followed by Manufacturing at 11.4% and 8.8% respectively. The industry with the smallest proportion of employees was the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry, accounting for 1.3% of all employees.
7.2% 8.2% 7.3% 7.3%
7.4%
Health care and social assistance Retail trade Manufacturing Education and training Professional, scientific and technical services Construction Accommodation and food services Public administration and safety Transport, postal and warehousing Financial and insurance services Wholesale trade Other services Administrative and support services Mining Information media and telecommunications Arts and recreation services Rental, hiring and real estate services Agriculture, forestry and fishing Electricity, gas, water and waste services Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 29
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing In 2011 there were 157,100 employees in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry, which was a decrease from 182,400 in 2010. This industry accounts for 1.6% of the total workforce, a decrease from 1.9% in 2010. In 2011 there were 6,500 union members, an increase from 3,400 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animal, producing or harvesting animals or timber and other horticultural activities. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to grow by 0.34% per annum, resulting in an increase of 2700 employees by 2016 an extra 100 union members, at an average of 20 per year, will be needed to keep pace with this predicted modest rate of growth in the industry. This growth rate is a significant reduction in the predicted levels in 2010 of 1.4% per annum to 2015. Figure 33: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Employees, Union members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projection 2006 to 2016 200.0 180.0
10.0% Employees, 170.4
9.0%
157.1
159.8
160.0 140.0 120.0
8.0% 7.0%
Union Density %, 6.0%
6.0%
Selected characteristics is next 100.0
5.0% 4.1%
Figure xx 80.0
4.0%
60.0
3.0%
The totals were low in this industry and for a number of categories the results were not published. 40.0
Figure xxMembers, 10.2 20.0
2.0% 6.6
6.5
Figure xx 0.0
1.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009 Members
2010
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density %
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 63.1% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 59.1% of nonmembers and 59.8% for all employees in this industry10. The following figure outlines that 78.5% of employees in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing industry have never been a member of a trade union, a decrease from 84.2% in 2010, 18.5% have previously been a member of a trade union and 3.0% were currently members of a trade union, an increase from 1.4% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was less than a year with 1.3% of employees in that category, while 2.6% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period. One in seven employees had previously been a member of a trade union between 1 and 4 years ago.
10
These numbers must be used with caution as they have a high relative standard error of 25% to 50%. 30 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 34: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Employees by Union Membership Status â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%)
Never been a trade union member 78.5% Member > 10 years 0.3% Member 5 to 9 years 0.4% Member 1 to 4 years 1.0% Member < 1 year 1.3% Ex-member > 5 years 1.5% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 14.4%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 2.6%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics11. The industry is male dominated with 72.8% of employees being male. Of the 8000 union members the overwhelming majority were male (95.0%), with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 29.8%. Nearly half (46.3%) of union members were aged between 25 and 34, meaning that this industry has a younger age profile amongst union members than the overall workforce level of 17.9% in the same age group. The majority (79.4%) of employees worked on a full time basis, with employees who had never been a union member were most likely to be working on a full time basis with 78.3%. Figure 35: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
11
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Data was not made available by the ABS for all categories due to the high relative standard error. Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 31
Mining In 2011 there were 221,500 employees in the Mining industry, which was an increase from 196,400 in 2010. This industry accounts for 2.2% of the total workforce, an increase from 2.0% in 2010. In 2011 there were 43,700 union members, an increase from 41,800 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in underground or open cut mining, dredging, quarrying and the extraction of mineral solids or liquids. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth from 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to grow by 7.47% per annum, resulting in an increase of 96,000 employees by 2016 an extra 18,900 union members, at an average of 3,780 per year, will be needed to keep with this predicted strong rate of growth in the industry, and maintain the current level of union density through to 2016. Figure 36: Mining Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 350.0
25.0% 317.5
Union Density, 22.5% 300.0
19.7% 20.0% 19.7%
250.0
150.0
15.0%
221.5
200.0
Employees, 121.7
10.0%
100.0 62.6 50.0
43.7
5.0%
Members, 27.4
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 91.5% of union members having paid leave entitlements, compared to 85.9% of nonmembers and 86.9% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 63.2% of employees in the Mining industry have never been a member of a trade union an increase from 62.4% in 2010, while 17.7% had previously been a member of a trade union. 19.1% were currently members of a trade union, an increase from 11.4% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years at 8.9% of employees, while 3.5% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period. One in twenty employees (5.2%) had union membership of less than a year.
32 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 37: Mining Employees by Union Membership Status â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 (%) Member > 10 years 0.4% Member 5 to 9 years 8.9%
Never been a trade union member 63.2%
Member 1 to 4 years 4.6% Member < 1 year 5.2% Ex-member > 5 years 1.2%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 13.0%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.5%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 84.8% of employees being male. Of the 46,000 union members the overwhelming majority were male (95.9%), with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 21.0%. Close to a third (30.4%) of union members were aged between 35 and 44, and an additional quarter (24.8%) were aged between 25 and 34. Half (51.2%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged over 45, while close to half (49.5%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35, highlighting the clear demographic difference between the two groups of non-members. The most common pattern of work was full time, with 100% of union members working on a full time basis. Those who had never been union members most likely to work on a part time basis at 5.9%. Figure 38: Mining Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 33
Manufacturing In 2011 there were 881,000 employees in the Manufacturing industry, which was a decrease from 916,500 in 2010. This industry accounts for 8.8% of the total workforce, a decrease from 9.4% in 2010. In 2011 there were 173,000 union members, an increase from 163,000 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in the physical or chemical transformation of materials, substances or components into new products. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to fall by -1.88% per annum, resulting in a decrease of 79,700 employees by 2016 even with the loss of 15,300 union members union density will remain steady at the current rate through to 2016. Figure 39: Manufacturing Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006-2016 1200.0
25.0%
Union Density, 23.1% 19.7%
1000.0 Employees, 932.5
19.7%
20.0%
880.0
800.0
800.3
15.0%
600.0
10.0% 400.0 Members, 215.3
173.0
200.0
157.7
5.0%
0.0%
0.0 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 95.7% of union members having paid leave entitlements an increase from 93.3% in 2010 compared to 79.5% of non-members a decrease from 80.1% in 2010 and 82.9% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 63.8% of employees in the Manufacturing industry have never been a member of a trade union, a decrease from 64.7% in 2010, 17.8% had previously been a member of a trade union and 18.4% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 18.5% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years at 9.3% of employees in that category, while 3.1% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period and 4.7% of employees had union membership of less than a year.
34 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 40: Mining Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 0.8%
Never been a trade union member 63.8%
Member 5 to 9 years 9.3% Member 1 to 4 years 3.6% Member < 1 year 4.7% Ex-member > 5 years 2.2% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 12.5%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.1%
The next chart shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 74.3% of employees being male. Of the 183,000 union members the overwhelming majority (89.0%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 31.5%. Close to a third (29.7%) of union members were aged under 35, and an additional quarter (26.4%) were aged between 35 and 44. Three out of five (61.7%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged over 45, while close to half (44.9%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35, highlighting the clear age profile difference between the two groups of non-members. The overwhelming majority (98.0%) of union members worked on a full time basis, while employees who had previously been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 17.4%. Figure 41: Manufacturing Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 35
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services In 2011 there were 134,800 employees in the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services industry, which was a decrease from 145,900 in 2010. This industry accounts for 1.3% of the total workforce, a decrease from 1.5% in 2010. In 2011 there were 43,000 union members, a decrease from 54,400 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in the provision of electricity, gas through mains systems, water, drainage and sewage services The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 2.22% per annum, resulting in an increase of 15,600 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 5,000 union members, at an average of 1000 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate through to 2016. Figure 42: Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 180.0 160.0
45.0% Union Density, 39.2% 150.4 134.8
140.0
40.0% 35.0%
31.9%
31.9%
120.0
30.0%
100.0
25.0% Employees, 103.3
80.0
20.0%
60.0 40.0
48.0
43.0
Members , 40.4
15.0% 10.0%
20.0
5.0%
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 97.9% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 79.5% of nonmembers and 90.3% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 50.3% of employees in the Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste services industry have never been a member of a trade union, an increase from 44.7% in 2010, 19.2% had previously been a member of a trade union and 30.5% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 39.0% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years at 17.8% of all employees in that category, while 1.7% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period and 7.7% of employees had union membership of less than a year. One in seven (14.6%) of employees had previously been a union member between 1 and 4 years ago.
36 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 43: Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) 2011 Member > 10 years 0.8%
Never been a trade union member 50.3%
Member 5 to 9 years 17.8%
Member 1 to 4 years 4.2% Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.7%
Member < 1 year 7.7% Ex-member > 5 years 2.9%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 14.6%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 73.5% of employees being male. Of the 45,600 union members the overwhelming majority (85.5%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 36.9%. Close to a third (32.0%) of union members were aged between 45 and 54, and an additional quarter (29.0%) were aged under 35. Half (51.3%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged over 45, while a third (37.4%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35. The age profile of this industry is more concentrated than other industries, with none of the categories reporting employees aged over 65. The overwhelming majority (95.8%) of union members worked on a full time basis, with employees who had never been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 13.7%. Figure 44: Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 37
Construction In 2011 there were 743,100 employees in the Construction industry, which was an increase from 724,400 in 2010. This industry accounts for 7.3% of the total workforce a slight decrease from 7.4% in 2010. In 2011 there were 116,000 union members, a decrease from 122,000 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in the construction of buildings and other structures, additions, alterations, reconstruction, installation, and maintenance and repairs of buildings and other structures. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 2.39% per annum, resulting in an increase of 92,000 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 14,500 union members, at an average of 2,900 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 15.8% through to 2016. Figure 45: Construction Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 900.0 800.0
25.0% 826.1
Union Density, 22.0% 734.1
20.0%
700.0 15.8%
600.0
15.8%
Employees, 601.5
15.0%
500.0 400.0 10.0% 300.0 200.0 Members, 132.2
130.5
116.0
5.0%
100.0 0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 91.3% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 73.4% of nonmembers and 76.5% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 67.9% of employees in the Construction industry have never been a member of a trade union, an increase from 65.7% in 2010, 17.7% had previously been a member of a trade union and 14.3% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 18.3% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years at 6.2% of all employees in that category, while 3.4% had ceased being member of a union for the same period and 5.2% of employees had union membership of less than a year. One in eight (12.2%) of employees had previously been a union member between 1 and 4 years ago.
38 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 46: Construction Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 0.5%
Never been a trade union member 67.9%
Member 5 to 9 years 6.2% Member 1 to 4 years 2.4% Member < 1 year 5.2% Ex-member > 5 years 2.1%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 12.2%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.4%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 87.2% of employees being male. Of the 123,300 union members the overwhelming majority (97.6%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 16.0%. Two out of five (44.9%) union members were aged under 35, and an additional quarter (23.8%) were between 35 and 44. The majority (79.4%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged over 35, while a majority (57.1%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35. This highlights the stark difference in the age profiles of the two groups of non-members. The overwhelming majority (98.5%) of union members worked on a full time basis, with employees who had never been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 13.5%. Figure 47: Construction Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 39
Wholesale Trade In 2011 there were 381,700 employees in the Wholesale Trade industry, which was an increase from 378,900 in 2010. This industry accounts for 3.8% of the total workforce, a slight decrease from 3.95 in 2010. In 2011 there were 23,900 union members, an increase from 21,700 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in the purchase and on selling, the commission-based buying, and the commission-based selling of goods, without significant transformation, to businesses. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.79% per annum, resulting in an increase of 15,300 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 1,100 union members, at an average of 220 per year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 6.3% through to 2016. Figure 48: Whole sale Trade Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 450.0 400.0
20.0% 397.0
Employees, 381.8 381.7
350.0
18.0% 16.0% 14.0%
300.0
12.0% 250.0 10.0% 200.0
Union Density, 8.3% 8.0%
6.3%
150.0
6.3% 6.0%
100.0 50.0
4.0% Members, 31.7
25.0
23.9
0.0
2.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 95.9% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 82.8% of nonmembers and 83.5% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 76.9% of employees in the Wholesale Trade industry have never been a member of a trade union, an increase from 74.2% in 2010, 17.1% had previously been a member of a trade union and 5.9% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 6.2% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years at 3.3% of all employees in that category, while 1.8% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period and 1.2% of employees had union membership of less than a year. One in seven (14.5%) of employees had previously been a union member between 1 and 4 years ago.
40 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 49: Wholesale Trade Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 0.4% Member 5 to 9 years 3.3%
Never been a trade union member 76.9%
Member 1 to 4 years 1.0% Member < 1 year 1.2% Ex-member > 5 years 0.8% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 14.5%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.8%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 67.2% of employees being male. Of the 25,200 union members the two thirds (70.1%) were male, this was higher amongst former members with 76.3% being male. Those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 35.0%. A third (33.3%) of union members were aged between 45 and 54, and an additional quarter (27.8%) were between 55 and 64. The majority (58.6%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged between 35 and 54, while 41.5% of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35. The majority (88.5%) of union members worked on a full time basis, with employees who had previously been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 18.3%. Figure 50: Wholesale Trade Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011
100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 41
Retail Trade In 2011 there were 1.14 million employees in the Retail Trade industry, which increased slightly from 1.1 million in 2010. This industry accounts for 11.4% of the total workforce, an increase from 11.3% in 2010. In 2011 there were 147,000 union members, a decrease from 169,700 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in the purchase and on selling, the commission-based buying, and the commission-based selling of goods, to the general public. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.81% per annum, resulting in an increase of 46,900 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 6,100 union members, at an average of 1220 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 12.9% through to 2016. Figure 51: Retail Trade Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 1400.0
30.0% 1187.0
1200.0
25.0%
Employees, 1052.0 1140.1 1000.0
20.0%
Union Density, 18.7% 800.0
15.0%
12.9% 600.0 12.9%
10.0% 400.0
200.0
Members, 197.2
153.1 5.0%
147.0
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 78.1% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 56.8% of nonmembers and 60.2% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 76.6% of employees in the Retail Trade industry have never been a member of a trade union, an increase from 73.5% in 2010, 11.7% had previously been a member of a trade union and 11.7% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 15.9% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was less than a year with 4.8% of all employees in that category, while 1.9% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period. Retail Trade had the second lowest proportion of employees who had previously been union members.
42 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 52: Retail Trade Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 0.7%
Never been a trade union member 76.6%
Member 5 to 9 years 3.7% Member 1 to 4 years 2.5% Member < 1 year 4.8% Ex-member > 5 years 2.0% Ex-member 1 to 4 years Ex-member < 1 year ago ago 1.9% 7.8%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is female dominated with 55.8% of employees being female. Of the 151,400 union members close to two thirds (62.9%) were female. Employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of male employees at 48.6%. A third (34.0%) of union members were aged between 15 and 24, and an additional fifth (19.4%) were between 25 and 34. Half (48.8%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged between 35 and 54, while 40.4% of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25. The majority (59.2%) of union members worked on a part time basis, the largest proportion of any industry. With employees who had previously been union members most likely to be working on a full time basis at 61.3%. Figure 53: Retail Trade Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 43
Accommodation and Food Services In 2011 there were 726,400 employees in the Accommodation and Food Services industry, which increased from 667,800 in 2010. This industry accounts for 7.3% of the total workforce, an increase from 6.8% in 2010. In 2011 there were 35,300 union members, an increase from 29,200 in 2010. Employees in this industry are primarily engaged in providing food and beverage services, such as the preparation and serving of meals and the serving of alcoholic beverages for consumption by customers, both on and off-site. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.70% per annum, resulting in an increase of 25,800 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 1,600 union members, at an average of 320 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 4.9% through to 2016. Figure 54: Accommodation and Food Services Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 800.0
752.2
700.0
726.4
12.0%
10.0%
Employees, 605.4 600.0 500.0
8.0%
Union Density, 7.2%
400.0
6.0%
4.9%
300.0
4.9%
4.0%
200.0 2.0% 100.0 Members, 43.3
36.9
35.3
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 55.8% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 33.1% of nonmembers and 34.3% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 87.2% of employees in the Accommodation and Food Services industry have never been a member of a trade union shifting slightly from 87.4% in 2010, 8.8% had previously been a member of a trade union and 4.1% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 15.9% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was less than a year with 1.9% of all employees in that category, while 1.6% had ceased being a member of a union for the same period. Accommodation and Food Services had the lowest proportion of employees who had previously been union members.
44 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 55: Accommodation and Food Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Never been a trade union member 87.2%
Member > 10 years 0.3% Member 5 to 9 years 1.1% Member 1 to 4 years 0.8% Member < 1 year 1.9% Ex-member > 5 years 1.1% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 6.1%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.6%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is female dominated with 56.8% of employees being female. Of the 39,900 union members half (57.4%) were male, both categories of non-members were female dominated. Those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 57.8% showing a gender difference between union members and non-members. Close to half (48.1%) of union members were aged between 15 and 24, and an additional 15.3% were between 25 and 34. Nearly half (47.0%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged between 35 and 54, while 51.9% of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25. Half (50.9%) of union members worked on a part time basis, which is the lowest proportion of the three groups in this industry, with employees who had never been union members were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 63.9%. Figure 56: Accommodation and Food Services Union Membership by Selected Characteristics (%) 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 45
Transport, Postal and Warehousing In 2011 there were 508,100 employees in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry, which increased from 477,900 in 2010. This industry accounts for 5.1% of the total workforce, an increase from 5.1% in 2010. In 2011 there were 163,500 union members, an increase from 137,500 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in providing transportation of passengers and freight by road, rail, water or air, as well as other transportation activities such as postal services, pipeline transport and scenic and sightseeing transport. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 1.41% per annum, resulting in an increase of 36,800 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 12,000 union members, at an average of 2,400 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 32.2% through to 2016. Figure 57: Transport, Postal and Warehousing Employees, Union Members (’000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 600.0
50.0% 544.9 45.0%
500.0
Employees, 427.1
400.0
508.1
40.0%
32.2%
35.0%
Union Density, 32.5%
32.2%
300.0
30.0% 25.0% 20.0%
200.0
175.5
163.5
15.0%
Members, 138.9
10.0%
100.0
5.0% 0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 94.9% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 69.8% of nonmembers and 78.1% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 50.0% of employees in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing industry have never been a member of a trade union, decreasing from 52.9% in 2010, 19.3% had previously been a member of a trade union and 30.8% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 29.3% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 18.3% of all employees in that category. While 6.4% of employee had been union members for less than a year, 3.4% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. Transport, Postal and Warehousing had the third smallest proportion of employees who had never been union members.
46 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 58: Transport, Postal and Warehousing Employees by Union Membership Status (%) – 2011 Member > 10 years 1.1%
Never been a trade union member 50.0%
Member 5 to 9 years 18.3%
Member 1 to 4 years 5.0% Member < 1 year 6.4% Ex-member > 5 years 2.8%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.4% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 13.1%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 77.0% of employees being male. Of the 168,000 union members the majority (84.8%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member having the largest proportion of female employees at 29.1%. A third (33.8%) of union members were aged between 45 and 54, an additional 25.5% were between 35 and 44. Two thirds (65.1%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged between 45 and 64, while 54.4% of employees who had never been a union member were aged between 25 and 44. The overwhelming majority (90.7%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups in this industry, with employees who had never been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 24.4%. Figure 59: Transport, Postal and Warehousing Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) – 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 47
Information Media and Telecommunications In 2011 there were 198,700 employees in the Information Media and Telecommunications industry, this shifted slightly from 200,200 in 2010. This industry accounts for 2.0% of the total workforce, remaining steady from 2010. In 2011 there were 28,600 union members, an increase from 24,200 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in creating, enhancing and storing information products in media that allows for their dissemination; transmitting information products using analogue and digital signals; and providing transmission services and/or operating the infrastructure to enable the transmission and storage of information and information products. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.45% per annum, resulting in an increase of 4,500 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 700 union members, at an average of 140 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 14.4% through to 2016. Figure 60: Information Media and Telecommunications Employees, Union Members (’00) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 250.0
30.0%
Employees, 232.8 203.2
198.7 200.0
25.0%
20.0% 150.0
Union Density, 17.1% 14.4%
15.0% 14.4%
100.0
10.0% 50.0
Members, 39.7
29.3
28.6
0.0
5.0%
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 96.6% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 80.9% of nonmembers and 83.3% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 67.5% of employees in the Information Media and Telecommunications industry have never been a member of a trade union, decreasing from 71.7% in 2010, 18.1% had previously been a member of a trade union and 14.5% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 13.0% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 9.7% of all employees in that category. While 1.4% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 0.9% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Information Media and Telecommunications industry had the second highest proportion of employees that had previously been a union member.
48 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 61: Information Media and Telecommunications Employees by Union Membership Status (%) – 2011
Never been a trade union member 67.5%
Member > 10 years 0.9% Member 5 to 9 years 9.7% Member 1 to 4 years 2.5% Member < 1 year 1.4% Ex-member > 5 years 0.9%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 15.3%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.9%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 56.5% of employees being male. Of the 29,200 union members the majority (65.1%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member having the largest proportion of female employees at 47.3%. Two thirds (64.0%) of union members were aged between 35 and 54, over half (56.3%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged between 45 and 64. While a quarter (24.5%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25, the only group to have employees in this age group. The overwhelming majority (93.5%) of union members worked on a full time basis, which is the highest proportion of the three groups in this industry, with employees who had previously been union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 23.0%. Figure 62: Information Media and Telecommunications Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) – 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012 | 49
Financial and Insurance Services In 2011 there were 404,400 employees in the Financial and Insurance Services industry, this increased from 382,200 in 2010. This industry accounts for 4.0% of the total workforce, remaining steady from 2010. In 2011 there were 44,000 union members, an increase from 38,600 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in financial transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or change in ownership of financial assets, and/or in facilitating financial transactions. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.84% per annum, resulting in an increase of 17,300 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 2000, at an average of 400 a year, union members to keep union density steady at the current rate of 10.9% through to 2016. Figure 63: Financial and Insurance Services Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 450.0 400.0
421.7 Employees, 354.6
404.4
30.0%
25.0%
350.0 300.0
20.0%
250.0 15.0%
Union Density, 13.4% 200.0
10.9%
10.9%
150.0
10.0%
100.0 50.0
Members, 47.6
46.0
44.0
0.0
5.0%
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 98.6% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 92.6% of nonmembers and 93.4% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 75.3% of employees in the Financial and Insurance Services industry have never been a member of a trade union, increasing from 72.9% in 2010, 14.6% had previously been a member of a trade union and 10.1% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 10.9% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 6.1% of all employees in that category. While 1.8% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 2.8% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period.
50 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 64: Financial and Insurance Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 0.3%
Never been a trade union member 75.3%
Member 5 to 9 years 6.1% Member 1 to 4 years 1.8% Member < 1 year 1.8% Ex-member > 5 years 1.2% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 10.6%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 2.8%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is female dominated with 56.3% of employees being female. Of the 46,300 union members the majority (67.2%) were female, with those employees who have previously been a trade union member having the largest proportion of male employees at 47.6%. Two out of five (40.0%) union members were aged between 35 and 44, an additional quarter (25.3%) were aged between 45 and 54. Over half (54.4%) of employees who had previously been union members were aged over 45. Half (49.7%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35. Those who had never been a union member were most likely to be working on a full time basis at 82.5%, compared to 74.1% of union members. With employees who were union members most likely to be working on a part time basis at 25.9%. This is the opposite of most other industries. Figure 65: Financial and Insurance Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 51
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services In 2011 there were 167,800 employees in the Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services industry, which is a decrease from 176,200 in 2010. This industry accounts for 1.7% of the total workforce, remaining steady from 2010. In 2011 there were 7,800 union members, an increase form 7,100 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in renting, hiring, or otherwise allowing the use of tangible or intangible assets (except copyrights), and units providing related services. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.69% per annum, resulting in an increase of 5,900 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 200 union members to keep union density steady at the current rate of 4.6% through to 2016. Figure 66: Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 200.0 180.0
10.0% Employees, 164.4
173.7
167.8
9.0%
160.0
8.0%
140.0
7.0%
120.0
6.0% Union Density, 5.1%
4.6%
100.0
4.6%
5.0%
80.0
4.0%
60.0
3.0%
40.0
2.0%
20.0
8.0
7.8
Members, 8.4
0.0
1.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 98.7% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 77.9% of nonmembers and 79.4% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 81.0% of employees in the Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services industry have never been a member of a trade union, decreasing from 83.3% in 2010, 13.8% had previously been a member of a trade union and 5.3% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 4.1% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 1.9% of all employees in that category. While 0.4% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 1.9% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services industry has the third highest proportion of employees who had never been a union member.
52 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 67: Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 1.4%
Never been a trade union member 81.0%
Member 5 to 9 years 1.9% Member 1 to 4 years 1.6% Member < 1 year 0.4% Ex-member > 5 years 0.7% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 11.2%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.9%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is fairly evenly split between male and female employees with 51.9% male and 48.1% female. Of the 8,200 union members the majority (76.8%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member having the largest proportion of female employees at 52.7%. These results suggest that the gender make up of unionised employees is quite different from the overall workforce in the industry. Over a quarter (28.0%) union members were aged between 25 and 34, the same proportion (28.0%) were aged between 45 and 54. One out of five (20.3%) employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25 the only group in this industry to have employees in this age group. The majority (87.8%) of union members were working on a full time basis, compared to 74.9% of employees who had never been union members. A quarter (25.1%) employees who had never been a union member worked on a part time basis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; due to a lack of reliable data, results are not available for the other two groups. Figure 68: Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 53
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services In 2011 there were 741,800 employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry, which is an increase from 704,600 in 2010. This industry accounts for 7.4% of the total workforce, an increase from 7.2% 2010. In 2011 there were 20,400 union members a decrease from 22,200 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in providing professional, scientific and technical services, workers specialise and sell their expertise. These services include scientific research, architecture, engineering, computer systems design, law, accountancy, advertising, market research, management and other consultancy, veterinary science and professional photography. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 2.38% per annum, resulting in an increase of 92,600 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 3,000 union members, at an average of 600 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 2.8% through to 2016. Figure 69: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Employees, Union Membership (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 900.0
834.4
800.0 700.0
10.0% 9.0%
741.8
8.0% Employees, 623.8 7.0%
600.0
6.0% 500.0 5.0% 400.0 4.0% 300.0
2.8%
2.8% Union Density, 3.7%
200.0
3.0% 2.0%
100.0 23.4
20.4
Members, 23.0 0.0
1.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 90.7% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 84.4% of nonmembers and 84.6% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 82.8% of employees in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry have never been a member of a trade union shifting slightly from 82.9% in 2010, 14.3% had previously been a member of a trade union and 2.9% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 3.6% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 1.0% of all employees in that category. While 0.7% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 1.9% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industry has the second highest proportion of employees who had never been a union member. 54 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 70: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Never been a trade union member 82.8%
Member > 10 years 0.4% Member 5 to 9 years 1.0% Member 1 to 4 years 0.8% Member < 1 year 0.7% Ex-member > 5 years 0.3% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 12.1%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 1.9%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is male dominated with 57.7% of employees male. Of the 28,100 union members two thirds (66.9%) were male, with those employees who had never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 43.2%. Half (52.6%) union members were aged between 35 and 54, a similar proportion (53.6%) of former union members were aged between 45 and 64. A third (36.2%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged between 25 and 34 double the other groups in this age bracket. Three quarters (76.9%) of union members were working on a full time basis, however it was employees who had never been a union member that had the highest proportion of employees working full time at 80.8%. A quarter (25.8%) of employees who had previously been a union member worked on a part time basis. Figure 71: Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 55
Administrative and Support Services In 2011 there were 309,600 employees in the Administrative and Support Services industry, which is an increase from 293,200 in 2010. This industry accounts for 3.1% of the total workforce, an increase from 3.0% 2010. In 2011 there were 21,200 union members a decrease from 23,900 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in performing routine support activities for the day-to-day operations of other businesses or organisations. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.87% per annum, resulting in an increase of 13,700 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 800 union members, at an average of 160 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 6.8% through to 2016. Figure 72: Administrative and Support Services Employees, Union Membership (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 400.0
16.0%
350.0
323.3
309.6 300.0
Employees, 281.5
12.0%
250.0
10.0%
200.0 150.0
6.8%
6.8%
Union Density, 7.0%
8.0% 6.0%
100.0 50.0
14.0%
4.0%
22.0
21.2
Members, 19.6
0.0
2.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 67.5% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 64.5% of nonmembers and 64.3% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 74.4% of employees in the Administrative and Support Services industry have never been a member of a trade union shifting slightly from 72.5% in 2010, 18.5% had previously been a member of a trade union and 7.0% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 9.6% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 2.6% of all employees in that category. While 2.3% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 3.5% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Administrative and Support Services industry has the highest proportion of employees who have previously been a union member.
56 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 73: Administrative and Support Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 1.2%
Never been a trade union member 74.4%
Member 5 to 9 years 2.6% Member 1 to 4 years 0.9% Member < 1 year 2.3% Ex-member > 5 years 1.1% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 13.9%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.5%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is evenly split along gender line with 51.5% of employees female and 48.5% of employees male. Of the 24,400 union members over half (56.1%) were female, the largest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who had previously been a trade union member had the largest proportion of male employees at 54.1%. A third (31.6%) of union members were aged between 45 and 54, a similar proportion (30.7%) of union members were aged between 55 and 64. Half (49.4%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged between 15 and 34, and a quarter (27.1%) of previous members were aged between 35 and 44. Two out of five (41.8%) union members were working on a part time basis, the highest proportion out of the three groups. Employees who had previously been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a full time basis at 65.3%. Figure 74: Administrative and Support Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 57
Public Administration and Safety In 2011 there were 721,900 employees in the Public Administration and Safety industry, which is an increase from 690,600 in 2010. This industry accounts for 7.2% of the total workforce, shifting slightly from 7.1% 2010. In 2011 there were 256,100 union members, an increase from 228,100 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in Central, State or Local Government legislative, executive and judicial activities; in providing physical, social, economic and general public safety and security services; and in enforcing regulations. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.83% per annum, resulting in an increase of 30,500 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 1,100 union members, at an average of 220 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 35.5% through to 2016. Figure 75: Public Administration and Safety Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 800.0
752.4
700.0
70.0%
721.9
Employees, 615.5
80.0%
600.0
60.0%
500.0
50.0%
400.0
Union Density, 37.6%
35.5%
35.5%
300.0
267.1 30.0%
256.1
Members, 231.3
40.0%
200.0
20.0%
100.0
10.0%
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 98.3% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 87.0% of nonmembers and 90.7% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 47.7% of employees in the Public Administration and Safety industry have never been a member of a trade union, decreasing from 50.5% in 2010, 18.3% had previously been a member of a trade union and 34.0% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 33.9% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 20.1% of all employees in that category. While 7.5 % of employees had been union members for less than a year, 3.5% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Public Administration and Safety industry has the second highest proportion of employees who are union members.
58 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 76: Public Administration and Safety Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Member > 10 years 1.0%
Never been a trade union member 47.7%
Member 5 to 9 years 20.1%
Member 1 to 4 years 5.4% Member < 1 year 7.5%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.5%
Ex-member > 5 years 2.9%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 11.9%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is fairly evenly split along gender line with 53.1% of employees male and 46.9% of employees female. Of the 263,300 union members over half (56.9%) were male, the largest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who have never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 49.7%. A third (33.1%) union members were aged between 45 and 54, an additional quarter (26.3%) of union members were aged between 35 and 44. Two out of five (43.6%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35, and half (55.6%) of previous members were aged between 45 and 64. The majority (87.8%) of union members were working on a full time basis, the highest proportion out of the three groups. Employees who had previously been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 22.9%. Figure 77: Public Administration and Safety Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 59
Education and Training In 2011 there were 824,100 employees in the Education and Training industry, which is a decrease from 858,400 in 2010. This industry accounts for 8.2% of the total workforce, a decrease from 8.8% in 2010. In 2011 there were 318,700 union members a decrease from 336,300 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in the provision and support of education and training, education may be provided in a range of settings, such as educational institutions, the workplace, or the home. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 1.39% per annum, resulting in an increase of 58,900 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 23,000 union members, at an average 4,600 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 38.7% through to 2016. Figure 78: Education and Training Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 1000.0
100.0% 883.0
900.0 800.0
80.0%
824.1
Employees, 687.7
90.0%
700.0
70.0%
600.0
60.0%
500.0
50.0% 38.7%
38.7%
Union Density, 38.8% 400.0
40.0%
300.0 200.0
318.7
341.7
30.0% 20.0%
Members, 267.2
100.0
10.0%
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 95.1% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 72.5% of nonmembers and 81.7% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 43.6% of employees in the Education and Training industry have never been a member of a trade union decreasing from 44.9% in 2010, 19.6% had previously been a member of a trade union and 36.7% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 40.0% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 21.7% of all employees in that category. While 7.4% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 4.0% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period. The Education and Training industry has the highest proportion of employees who are union members.
60 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 79: Education and Training Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011 Member > 10 years 0.9%
Never been a trade union member 43.6%
Member 5 to 9 years 21.7%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 4.0%
Member 1 to 4 years 6.7%
Member < 1 year 7.4%
Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 12.5% Ex-member > 5 years 3.1%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is female dominated with 69.5% of employees female. Of the 324,700 union members the majority (70.7%) were female, the largest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who have never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of male employees at 32.0%. Half (52.0%) of union members were aged between 25 and 44. Two out of five (39.6%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35, and half (56.1%) of previous members were aged between 45 and 64. These results demonstrate the clear age difference between the different member groups in this industry. The majority (70.5%) of union members were working on a full time basis, the highest proportion out of the three groups. Employees who had never been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 48.3%. Figure 80: Education and Training Employees Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 61
Health Care and Social Assistance In 2011 there were 1.24 million employees in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which is an increase from 1.18 million in 2010. This industry accounts for 12.4% of the total workforce, an increase from 12.1% in 2010. In 2011 there were 341,100 union members, an increase from 312,500 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in providing human health care and social assistance. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is the largest single industry by employee number. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 3.37% per annum, resulting in an increase of 223,500 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 61,400 union members, at an average of 12,280 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 27.5% through to 2016. Figure 81: Health Care and Social Assistance Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 1600.0
80.0% 1463.6
1400.0
70.0%
1200.0
60.0%
1240.1 Employees, 977.7
1000.0
50.0%
800.0
40.0%
600.0 400.0
27.5%
Union Density, 27.5%
27.5%
341.1
Members, 268.8
30.0% 20.0%
402.5
200.0
10.0%
0.0
0.0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life, union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 94.8% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 77.5% of nonmembers and 82.5% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 56.1% of employees in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry have never been a member of a trade union decreasing from 56.4% in 2010, 18.3% had previously been a member of a trade union and 25.6% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 27.3% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 12.7% of all employees in that category. While 6.8% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 3.5% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period.
62 | Urgency & Opportunity – ACTU 2012
Figure 82: Health Care and Social Assistance Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Never been a trade union member 56.1%
Member > 10 years 0.8% Member 5 to 9 years 12.7%
Member 1 to 4 years 5.3% Member < 1 year 6.8% Ex-member > 5 years 3.0%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 3.5% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 11.8%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is female dominated with 79.2% of employees female. Of the 354,600 union members the majority (82.3%) were female, with those employees who have previously been a trade union member had the largest proportion of male employees at 24.0%. Half (55.0%) of union members were aged between 35 and 54. Two out of five (42.5%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 35, and over half (57.1%) of previous members were aged between 45 and 64. These results demonstrate the clear age difference between the different member groups in this industry. The majority (58.5%) of union members were working on a full time basis, the highest proportion out of the three groups. Employees who had previously been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 50.3%. Figure 83: Health Care and Social Assistance Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
Urgency & Opportunity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ACTU 2012 | 63
Arts and Recreation Services In 2011 there were 170,700 employees in the Arts and Recreation Services industry, which is an increase from 153,200 in 2010. This industry accounts for 1.7% of the total workforce, an increase from 1.6% in 2010. In 2011 there were 19,100 union members a decrease from 23,800 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in preservation and exhibition of objects and sites of historical, cultural or educational interest; the production of original artistic works and/or participation in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing; and the operation of facilities or the provision of services that enable patrons to participate in sporting or recreational activities, or to pursue amusement interests. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.72% per annum, resulting in an increase of 6,200 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 700 union members, at an average of 140 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 11.2% through to 2016. Figure 84: Arts and Recreation Services Employees, Union Members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Times Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 200.0
35.0% 176.9
180.0 160.0
30.0%
Employees, 132.5
170.7 25.0%
140.0 120.0
20.0%
100.0 Union Density, 11.3%
15.0%
80.0
11.2%
11.2%
60.0
10.0%
40.0 Members, 14.9
19.8
19.1
20.0 0.0
5.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 92.5% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 54.1% of nonmembers and 59.3% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 75.2% of employees in the Arts and Recreation Services industry have never been a member of a trade union, increasing from 71.2% in 2010, 13.8% had previously been a member of a trade union and 11.2% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 16.3% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 5.8% of all employees in that category. While 3.0% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 2.4% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period.
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Figure 85: Arts and Recreation Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Never been a trade union member 75.2%
Member > 10 years 0.4% Member 5 to 9 years 5.8% Member 1 to 4 years 2.0% Member < 1 year 3.0% Ex-member > 5 years 0.7% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 10.7%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 2.4%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry is evenly split along gender lines with 50.2% male and 49.8% female workforce. Of the 21,400 union members the majority (70.1%) were male, the highest proportion of the three group and demonstrates the clear difference of the gender profile of union members compared to non-members. Those employees who have never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 53.2%. Half (52.3%) of union members were aged between 35 and 54. A third (37.8%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25, a similar proportion (35.4%) of previous members were aged between 35 and 44. The majority (65.9%) of union members were working on a full time basis, the highest proportion out of the three groups. Employees who had previously been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 49.5%. Figure 86: Arts and Recreation Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
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Other Services In 2011 there were 331,000 employees in the Other Services industry, which is a decrease from 343,800 in 2010. This industry accounts for 3.3% of the total workforce, a decrease from 3.5% in 2010. In 2011 there were 25,900 union members a decrease from 28,200 in 2010. Employees in this industry are engaged in broad range of personal services; religious, civic, professional and other interest group services; selected repair and maintenance activities; and private households employing staff. The below graph shows employee and union membership numbers along with projections for employee growth for 2012 to 2016 in the industry, and the growth in union membership that is required to keep pace. Employment is projected to increase by 0.80% per annum, resulting in an increase of 13,500 employees by 2016 requiring an increase of 1000 union members, at an average of 200 a year, to keep union density steady at the current rate of 7.8% through to 2016. Figure 87: Other Services Employees, Union members (‘000) and Union Density (%) – Time Series and Projections 2006 to 2016 400.0
16.0% 344.5
350.0
14.0%
Employees, 310.7 331.0
300.0 250.0
12.0% 10.0%
Union Density, 9.3% 7.8%
7.8%
200.0
8.0%
150.0
6.0%
100.0
4.0%
50.0
Members, 28.8
26.9
25.9
0.0
2.0% 0.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Members
2011 Employees
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Union Density
Paid leave entitlements are an important condition of working life. Union members were more likely to have paid leave entitlements with 97.6% of union members having paid leave entitlements compared to 77.4% of nonmembers and 79.5% for all employees in this industry. The below figure outlines that 79.2% of employees in the Other Services industry have never been a member of a trade union, increasing from 76.7% in 2010, 13.6% had previously been a member of a trade union and 7.2% were currently members of a trade union, compared to 9.2% in 2010. The most common length of union membership was between 5 and 9 years with 3.9 % of all employees in that category. While 2.3% of employees had been union members for less than a year, 2.3% had ceased being a member of a union in the same period.
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Figure 88: Other Services Employees by Union Membership Status (%) - 2011
Never been a trade union member 79.2%
Member > 10 years 0.0% Member 5 to 9 years 3.9% Member 1 to 4 years 1.0% Member < 1 year 2.3% Ex-member > 5 years 0.7% Ex-member 1 to 4 years ago 10.6%
Ex-member < 1 year ago 2.3%
The next graph shows union membership by selected characteristics. The industry male dominated with 62.0% of employees male. Of the 42,300 union members the majority (72.1%) were male, the highest proportion of the three groups. Those employees who have never been a trade union member had the largest proportion of female employees at 39.6%. Half (50.2%) of union members were aged between 35 and 54. A quarter (27.1%) of employees who had never been a union member were aged under 25, and a third (35.9%) of previous members were aged between 45 and 54. These results show three distinct age profiles for each of the membership groups. The majority (88.2%) of union members were working on a full time basis. Employees who had previously been a member of a union were most likely to be working on a part time basis at 31.9%. Figure 89: Other Services Union Membership Status by Selected Characteristics (%) - 2011 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0%
Currently a trade union member
Previously a trade union member
Never been a trade union member
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Data Sources This report is available electronically at the ACTU website at www.actu.org.au. Copies of the source data and tables are available by contacting the ACTU on the details provided below. The main data tables and data sources used to compile this report were: ABS Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, Aug 2011, Cat. No. 6310.0: Customised Report
Table 1: Estimates of Persons by Employment Status in Main job and Selected Characteristics (sex, age, employment status and country of birth) by Sector and by Trade Union Membership Table 2: Estimates of Persons by State and Selected Characteristics (sex, age, employment status and country of birth) by Trade Union Membership Table 3: Estimate of persons by industry of main job and Selected Characteristics (sex, age, employment status and country of birth) by Trade Union Membership Table 4: Estimates of Persons by industry and Trade Union Membership
ABS Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership, Australia, August 2011
Table 23: Employees (excluding OMIEs) in Main Job, Industry of main job – by Sex – by whether had paid leave entitlement – by trade union membership in main job Trade Union Membership Time Series (Data Cube)
ACTU Calculations:
Trade Union Membership in Main job, Total Employees and Union Density 2006 to 2016
Industry definitions were from ABS Report: 1292.0 - Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC).
Further Information Any queries, comments, feedback or to have access to the data tables for this report should be addressed to: Rhiannon Carter Strategic Research Officer Australian Council of Trade Unions (03) 9664 7308 rcarter@actu.org.au
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