ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the factors that influence university students' attitudes towards union membership. The chapter compares the intentions of German and Australian university students. Germany and Australia are logical choices for the comparative focus of the study. Both countries have a similarly high standard of living and most university students in each are employed, comprising a significant portion of the labour market. In Australia, trade union involvement was secured through the award system and a series of accords with government. German union membership remains concentrated in mining, manufacturing and utilities, with much lower densities recorded in the commercial and services sector. A longer period in part-time employment could diminish the sense that student employment is just a transitional phase and result in work experiences having a more durable impact on attitudes. The initial study was based on data from the Student Employment and Graduate Attitudes Survey, a panel study of Australian university students.
