Australian Industrial Relations

Aust Labour & Employment Law

The world of paid work is fundamental to the functioning of society. There are many stakeholders - from governments, unions and employer associations, through to individual employers and employees. This text examines different approaches to understanding the nature of the employment relationship, complete with a contextual background as to how this relationship has changed and developed throughout our nation\'s history. The Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 signalled the dawning of a new era in employment relations in Australia. This text offers a balanced view of this legislation, and explores its likely impact. It is ideal for a first course in contemporary Employment Relations.

Australian Workplace Relations explains the defining themes in workplace relations in the twenty-first century. It explores issues relating to employee voice, declining trade union membership, occupational health, disadvantaged workers and surveillance in the workplace. The treatment of each topic is placed in both a national and an international context. The book examines the effects on Australian workplace relations of globalisation, the changing international economy and the Global Financial Crisis. It provides a comprehensive examination of the Fair Work Act 2009. Case studies provide in-depth explorations of four important sectors of the economy: health, retail and hospitality, the public sector and motor vehicle components. The textbook includes additional resources for students and lecturers on a companion website: Power-Point slides, lists for further reading, additional case studies and links to websites. Comprehensive and fully cross-referenced, Australian Workplace Relations is an invaluable resource for upper-level undergraduate students of workplace, employee or industrial relations.

Kenneth Walker's 1956 publication, Industrial Relations in Australia, was acclaimed as the first full-scale analysis of the factors shaping Australian industrial relations. Significant developments during the ensuing years, however, necessitated a thorough reevaluation of the field. In his revised book Walker examines these extensive developments, reorganizes his approach, incorporates much additional material, and, in general, provides a more comprehensive view of Australian industrial relations. The organizing theme of this new work is John T. Dunlop's concept of the industrial relations system, which the author applies to the Australian situation, distinguishing among national, state, industry, and plant systems.