Qld union membership drops to new low
ALARMING union trends are emerging at a state level, but despite this, Central Queensland membership numbers remain healthy, according to ABS figures.
Queensland unions lost almost 93,000 members in the 12 months to August last year and density plunged to new lows of 17% overall and 12% in the private sector.
Central Rail, Tram and Bus Union organiser Craig Allen said there wouldn't have been as many membership losses if 1400 public service workers hadn't lost their jobs.
About 53% of workers in casual, fixed-term contracts and labour hire have no long-term security.
The Bureau's Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership data, released late last week, show membership numbers fell from 1,840,400 in August 2012 to 1,747,600 last year.
Density fell from 18.2% to 17%, from 13% to 12% in the private sector and from 43.4% to 41.7% in the public sector.
Unions lost 56,400 members over 12 months in the private sector and 36,500 in the public sector.