Unions force themselves upon a disinterested workforce, according to a report by HR Nicholls.
Union membership has been declining for 20 years, with one in five full-time workers taking out union membership. In the private sector, 87% of workers are un-unionised.
Young people are the least likely to become union members.
As a result, HR Nicholls asserts that unions are turning to legislation to retain their influence. For example:

• the new right of entry provisions passed by the House of Representatives and being considered by the Senate: where occupiers of premises in remote locations must make certain accommodation and travel arrangements with permit holders if arrangements cannot be agreed, even if the employees are not actually trade union members, and
• bargaining powers over greenfields sites which can affect work before it begins.

HR Nicholls, calling for industrial relations reform, infers that such “extreme measures” are disproportionate to the reality of union support in the workplace.
For a link to HR Nicholl’s media release, click  here

For a copy of the one page report “Desperate unions cling to power”, click here

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) is working to raise new and expectant parents’ knowledge about their workplace rights. Information on issues such as parental leave entitlements, returning to work after leave and seeking flexible work arrangements from employers is being included in information packs provided to new parents in hospitals across Australia.

FWO Executive Director, Lynda McAlary-Smith, said that increasing awareness about workplace rights and entitlements, including among new parents, was a key role of the FWO.

“A pending birth is a major event in anyone’s life, and we want to ensure that new parents, whether they’re having their first child or subsequent children, have all the information they need to make informed decisions about how to approach issues around parenthood and work,” Ms McAlary-Smith said.

“We also want to help employers by highlighting the benefits that flexible working arrangements can bring to businesses. This includes better staff retention, reduced absenteeism and making their business attractive to potential employees.”

Further information is available here.