A Law Foundation-backed research project has found that nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders support automatic trade union enrolment for new job starters, provided they also have the right to opt out afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What’s more, support for a “union default” policy extends across\nsociety, regardless of political, occupational, income and other differences.\nThe idea is backed by managers, employers, workers and the unemployed alike.\nSupporters of most of the main political parties favour it, including Act –\nonly National voters are marginally against, with just under half liking the idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Study co-author Mark Harcourt, Professor at Waikato University\nSchool of Management, says the survey results surprised him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nationwide survey in May of 1471 randomly-chosen people found\nthat 60 per cent of respondents favoured a union default policy. This\ncomplements the findings from in-depth interviews with 42 employment law\nexperts, 70 per cent of whom liked the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harcourt wanted to test the union default idea as a way of\nreversing declining union membership and the accompanying growth in income\ninequality over the past three decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The employment law experts convinced him that a union default had\nto be accompanied by an opt-out right, available immediately. This would overcome the argument that a union default would restore “closed shop” unionism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“None of the experts we spoke to want a return to compulsory union\nmembership – they all favour choice,” he says. “Neither National nor Labour\nwant to return to compulsory unionism, and the International Labour\nOrganisation opposes it. So opt-out must be available to keep unions\naccountable, offering services that members want.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harcourt co-wrote the study with Waikato Law Professor Margaret\nWilson, Victoria law student Nisha Novell, and affiliate researcher Dr Gregor Gall of Glasgow University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Law Foundation-backed research project has found that nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders support automatic trade union enrolment for new job starters, provided they also have the right to opt out afterwards. What’s more, support for a “union default” policy … Continue reading