Did arbitration make for dependent unionism? evidence from historical case studies

Abstract

The analysis of Australian union behaviour, growth and structure has centred on the relationship between unions and arbitration. To varying degrees it has been assumed that Australian unions are dependent on arbitration for the supply of resources critical to their functions. The nature and extent of this dependency have, however, remained empirically unexplored. Yet it is clear that if this dependency relationship were a valid description of the relationship between unions and arbitration, its implications for the survial of unions under a different labour law regime would be profound. This paper, through the investigation of four historical case studies. questions the validity of the depen..