23 July 2020
Membership of some of Australia's largest unions has defied expectations and increased amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports The Age.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation; Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association and Australian Manufacturing Workers Association were among the unions that recorded small membership rises during the pandemic.
The figures support unions' claim to be the right representative for workers in the government's industrial reform process, The Age says.
Griffith University Professor of Employment Relations David Peetz told the newspaper that union membership tended to decline during recessions. He said the recent rise could indicate workers are finding value in unions, which have become more prominent during the pandemic.
Australia's largest union, the ANMF, has seen a 6 per cent jump in its membership in the year to June 30, taking it to about 295,000 members. Locally, the ANMF (SA Branch) has also seen an increase in membership, with membership now close to 21,500.
ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said that concerns over COVID-19, attacks on job security and working conditions, work health and safety concerns including PPE had prompted more nurses, midwives and personal care workers to join the union.
“Members know that during times of uncertainty, the ANMF (SA Branch) will work tirelessly in their best interests,’’ Ms Dabars said.