Union numbers drop in Queensland, figures show

Unions have taken a massive hit to their membership in Queensland during the last financial year, losing an average of about seven members every day.

EXCLUSIVE

UNIONS have taken a massive hit to their membership in Queensland during the last financial year, losing an average of about seven members every day.

The militant CFMEU suffered the biggest hit, losing almost 2000 members.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the new figures which show the state’s total union membership fell from 348,616 from June 30, 2018 to 345,944 a year later – with 15 of 26 unions in Queensland recording a reduction.

The AMWU suffered a loss of 1106 members while 1374 people left the Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Queensland Branch.

The CFMEU’s membership plummeted by 1923.

Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Michael Clifford said construction employment was down by 1.1 per cent during that year.

“There’s a correlation with jobs in the industries generally,” he said.

“In those industries where there is growing employment and areas that are critically important, there has been growth in union membership.”

The SDA grew by 789 members, Together jumped by 790, the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union grew by 1703, while the Queensland Teachers’ Union increased by 1319.

Mr Clifford said QCU affiliated unions reduced by 256 members during that year, which was 0.09 per cent of its total membership.

He said where there was declining employment, a decline in membership usually followed.

“While in some areas there have been declines in membership, we draw attention to the fact that unions still continue to do great work on behalf of their members,” he said.

He conceded that while the reductions could be explained, it was concerning and more jobs were needed in those areas.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland spokesman Dan Petrie said union membership and members of industrial organisations had faced a challenging 12 months.

He said the “the general state of the Queensland economy” affected both employer groups and unions.

“Businesses needing help to negotiate an increasingly complex compliance environment and a voice to government have underpinned the Chamber’s increased membership in the last 12 months,” he said.