Huffing and Puffing? New Zealand's Trade Unions Versus the Big Bad World

Authors

  • Stephen B Blumenfeld Victoria University of Wellington
  • Aaron Crawford Victoria University of Wellington
  • Pat Walsh Victria University of Wellington

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26686/lew.v0i0.1241

Abstract

This study focuses on the impact of international trade on union membership and density in New Zealand's manufacturing sector between 1992 and 1998, the first seven full years of the Employment Contracts Act (ECA). Regression analysis distinguishes effects of import penetration and export intensity growth from shifts in other market and institutional factors known to influence union membership trends in other countries. Findings support the hypothesis that reduced trade barriers and, in particular, increased import penetration into manufacturing markets have had a negative impact on trade union membership numbers in New Zealand since enactment of the ECA in May 1991.

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Author Biographies

Stephen B Blumenfeld, Victoria University of Wellington

Industrial Relations Centre, Victoria Management School

Aaron Crawford, Victoria University of Wellington

Industrial Relations Centre, Victoria Management School

Pat Walsh, Victria University of Wellington

Industrial Relations Centre, Victoria Management School

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Published

2002-12-13

Issue

2002: Labour, Employment and Work in New Zealand

Section

Articles

License

Copyright belongs to the editor and contributors.

This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research as permitted under the Copyright Act 1994, no part may be reproduced by any process without the permission of either the Victoria University Industrial Relations Centre or the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences.