What is it about?
In the 1980s and 1990s, Australian trade unions tried to combat declining influence and membership numbers by amalgamating with other unions in the same or related industries. Much has been written on union mergers, but little on how these affect the membership. This article uses the example of one union – the West Australian Locomotive Engine Drivers', Firemen's and Cleaners Union to study this impact.
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Why is it important?
It is important for union officials to be aware that amalgamation can lead to rank and file members losing their union identity and in some cases leaving the union. Impacts include the feeling among rank and file members that their interests are no longer being met.
Perspectives
Having talked to a number of rank and file members and being aware of the way that amalgamation can affect them, I strongly believe that the personal dimension has to be an important consideration. Unions have a vital role in society. In this age of economic rationalism, they have never been more needed in order to fight for justice for their members. Unions are only as strong as their membership and if, in trying to become stronger, they actually lose members, the purpose is defeated.
Professor Bobbie Oliver
Curtin University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Impact of Union Amalgamation on Membership, SAGE Open, July 2016, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/2158244016658086.
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