History Of Unions And Their Relevance In Today S Society Term paper
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Following the lead of Britain from where
many of the original settlers came, workers in various occupations banded
together to form unions. Ship writers, boat builders, tailors, bakers and
carpenters were among the first craft unions form in Australia before 1848.
By forming an association workers could
obtain better wages and working conditions. However the employers wanted
the highest profit margins so wished to keep wages low and spend little
money on the working environment. The law of supply and demand in the labour
market often determined which group was dominant.
A third factor in the balance in Australia
was the government. A successful strike by newspaper workers in 1829 for
better wages and conditions resulted in the Masters and Servants Act being
implemented which discriminated against the workers, who could be gaoled
for minor revolts.
Early in the colony, skilled labours were
in short supply but in the 1840's after active promotion of emigrants by
Britain this improved and a depression forced wages down and jobs were
lost. With the discovery of gold, prices and wages rose, labour was scare
and licenses imposed on miners and the Eureka incident occurred. Bust and
boom economic conditions paroled surges recessions for unionism over the
next few decades.
The industrial union formed in the 1880's
as a grouping of workers within an industry and across colonial and the
Shearer's Union and small bush workers unions became the Australian Workers
Union. Unions then looked to represent workers in Governments and the 1890's
major strikes were held and the Labour Party was formed.
With coming of Federation compulsory arbitration
- settling of disputes between employer and employee by a third party -
encouraged unionism, with unions representing the workers. The labour market
and demand for goods has been influenced by world wars, depressions and
recessions. In the 1980's 'national reconciliation' initiated by the Government,
aimed at resolving some of the conflict between workers and employers.
Strong leaders among workers of various
occupations over the last two centuries, have been gaoled, sometimes killed,
starved, abused, seen their families suffer for better working conditions.
At the beginning of the industrial revolution,
employers knew their workers and felt responsible for them. After the industrial
revolution gained momentum they employed more people and lost empathy for
their staff.
Working conditions were 12 - 14 hours,
without breaks, child labour was employed, accidents were rife and wages
were low. Overcrowding in unsanitary conditions resulted in epidemics of
disease. Workers were not allowed to vote and the employers were represented
in Parliament.
Unions mobilize the full industrial strength
of workers and as history has shown conditions of workers have greatly
improved due to unionism. Unions have earned workers minimal wages forty
hour working week, an eight hour day, annual leave, long service leave,
accident and illness benefits, and workers compensation.
Voting rights have assisted better legislation
to protect workers which decrease the relevance of unions in today's society.
Compulsory unionism has a contention issue as has non secret voting or
ballots. Compulsory unionism has been negated to some degree but after
employment clauses state that preference will be given to union members.
In today's workplace the same worker may
be eligible to belong to various unions. Sometimes these unions are in
conflict and may vie with each other for members. Some workers feel the
benefits do not justify the cost of union membership.
Harassment of no union workers can be intimidating
even violent, as in the example in Canberra a few years ago when union
members trashed property. Pickets to prevent no union workers from fulfilling
contracts has been a part of strikes. The use of 'scab' labour has caused
violence in strikes and the conflict has disrupted companies and industries.
State and Federal governments have been
involved in labour reforms and during the last few decades industrial unrest
has been lessened as the arbitration and negotiation machinery had become
more sophisticated. Fines imposed on unions and more accountability for
unrest and strikes on union leadership has tended to moderate demands made
by workers.
Workplace reform has improved safety conditions
for workers and accountability of directors and employers. As the change
from external inspectors to 'duty of care' of employers and co-workers
increase the role of the unions in improving working conditions tend to
decrease.
In the 1990's enterprise bargaining is
part of the Workplace Reform...
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