A new report from Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow David Peetz shows that new rights for volunteer union delegates are set to make workplaces more, not less, cooperative.

The changes coming into effect from 1 July 2024 – under the federal government’s Closing Loopholes Act – guarantee the rights of volunteer union delegates to represent workers and paid training leave.

The report Employee voice and new rights for workplace union delegates expects these changes will increase the 'voice' of workers in their workplace, leading to increases in pay and employment benefits, make workplaces safer, and is likely increase union membership. These changes are also likely to increase cooperation between workers and managers, encourage uptake of new technology, and boost productivity.

Read the Carmichael Centre's new report here.