Women in the Trade Unions

Figures from 2008 show:

• For the 7th consecutive year there has been a higher proportion of women in trade unions than men
• Since 1995 the percentage of men in trade unions has been steadily decreasing whilst the percentage of women who are members has remained roughly the same
• 29.2 per cent of women are members of trade unions
• The only age range where women’s membership does not outstrip male membership is 16 to 24 year olds
• A high proportion of women in the public sector are members of unions; 63.1 per cent of women who work full-time are members, and 46.0 per cent of part-time women workers are members

Sources: Craig Barratt (2009) Trade Union Membership 2008. Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform.