ABSTRACT
Trade unionism is in crisis in many countries as high unemployment rates persist, workforces are dramatically restructured, the public sector is downsized and a coalition of hostile employers and conservative governments enact anti-union legislation. This chapter discusses the intersection between the globalization imperative, the growing non-standard workforce and declining trade union density in Australia. Australian trade union membership data support the view that trade unionism is under serious threat. The characteristics of nonstandard workers often place them outside of trade union representation. At a superficial level it can be argued that globalization is occurring in Australia through the spread of information technology, the increase in international tourism and in international trade and finance, and as a result of the industrial restructuring of the economy. In Australia there has been a dramatic decline in trade union members, densities and numbers. The chapter concludes with an outline of possible trade union strategies towards the recruitment and retention of non-standard workers.
