Despite ABS figures released today – compiled from the Characteristics of Employment (COE) Survey in 2014 – ACTU data from 46 affiliated unions shows union membership in October 2015 stood at 1.8 million members.

Australian Unions are committed to growing membership now more than ever and that is why next month union leaders will be gathering for the Australia Disrupted Symposium to discuss the future of work.

The ABS figures also show union members earn higher wages than non-union members.

Quotes Attributable to ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver

‘Union membership at this time sits at 1.8 million and there hasn’t been a significant change to this since last August when the ABS survey was taken.”

‘Every day unions are looking for ways to represent Australian workers and it has become very clear that as workplaces modernize so must unions.’

‘That’s why next month union leaders will be gathering for the Australia Disrupted Symposium to discuss the future of work and how we can best represent workers no matter who they are or how they work.’

‘Progress and change in the workplace can be a great thing but it can’t be at the cost of worker’s rights, wages, safety and other conditions.’

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