
Issue No 56		02 June 2000

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International

UK Unions Turn the Corner

Union membership is on the rise for the first time in 20 years, indicating an early response to union recognition legislation set to come into effect next month.

A government unions watchdog report has revealed the figures for TUC affiliated and non-affiliated unions.

The Certification Officer's statistics show there was a 50,581 increase in union membership last year, bringing the overall figure to just under 8 million.

Although this rise represents a 0.6 per cent increase, the trend is expected to continue with the recognition aspects of the Employment Relations Act.

TUC General Secretary John Monks said: "This is good news. While it is only a modest increase it shows that the decline in union membership has stopped.

"Unions are recruiting from outside their traditional areas, and our strong campaigns on behalf of all employees - such as our efforts to get the government to extend parental leave - show that we have as much to offer to employees in new industries as well as in areas where we have traditionally been strong."

He added: "Only a minority of employers are now hostile to unions. Most can see that modern trade unionists want partnership, rather than needless conflict."

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  Issue 56 contents

Interview: When the War is Over
Teachers Federation chief Sue Simpson has just come through the industrial dispute of a lifetime. But where to now for her members?

Politics: The Beazley Manifesto
Read the full transcript of Kim Beazley's Fraser Lecture develiered this week, where he unveiled Labor's new industrial relations platform.

Unions: Dudded on the Dock of the Bay
Until a few weeks ago Allan and Beverley Crelley had never ever heard of SERCO the big London multinational that specialises in winning contracts from governments committed to outsourcing their workers.

History: The Long March for Justice
Against the backdrop of the Walk for Reconciliation across the Sydney Harbour Bridge that took place last Sunday, it is worthwhile recognising that trade unionists were actively promoting the issue decades ago.

International: UK Unions Turn the Corner
Union membership is on the rise for the first time in 20 years, indicating an early response to union recognition legislation set to come into effect next month.

Work/Time/Life: Flexible Clerks Save Hours
The Australian Services Union has successfully blocked an attempt by wholesaler Davids Limited to force clerical staff at the company's Blacktown office from flexible working hours to a standard 38 hour week.

Review: Who Really Won the War?
It might be being pulped for a reference to serial-suitor Peter Costello, but 'Waterfront' has sparked some lively debate about our recent industrial history.

Satire: Gosper's New Torch Role
A week after he was excluded from the Olympic torch relay as a result of public criticism, Kevan Gosper has been reinstated by SOCOG President Michael Knight for a special project.

» Long Service Leave Push for Short-Term Workers

» Carr Asked to Act on Fiji Crisis

» Major Blow to Government Outsourcing

» Beazley Blocks Contracts as Reith Hits New Wall

» Carr Makes Formal Offer on Olympics Pay

» Surfing Carnivals Highlights Beach Threat

» Mail Stopped Over Junk Deal

» CBA Staff To Strike Over Queues and Abuse

» Women's Bureau to Stay in DIR

» Joy's Winter of Discontent

» Advocate Pushes Pattern Bargaining

» Nike Versus The Workers

» New Safety Laws A First in Australia

» Workers March for Reconciliation

» Labour Movement Mourns Loss of Neil Marshall (11th June 1943 - 31st May 2000)