Immigrant female workers and Australian trade unions

The relationship between Australian trade unions and their non-English-speaking-background female members is analyzed. In particular, the level of services provided by unions to these members and the extent of participation of these unionists in their union and the industrial priorities that they hold for their union are examined. Drawing on a questionnaire survey of unions, of union members and detailed case studies of 6 unions with large immigrant memberships, it is argued that very limited targeted services are provided to non-English-speaking-background female unionists have similar levels of participation in most rank-and-file activities, but that the former group remains underrepresented among full-time officials; and that the industrial priorities of female unionists are similar irrespective of their backgrounds.