Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?

Trade unions were created to protect the moneyed class. They came out of the Fabians. And the Fabians came out of the aristocracy.

Help, by and large, but some have become over-powerful and corrupt, if not actually criminal, so should be investigated and laws applied. To balance this, lets look a bit more closely at white-collar crime too, eh?

Without them I fear Goverment is not courageous enough to stop big business turning working class into financial slaves

Help. Unions need to be democratized and need more say in government, private companies have much more say in government than unions do.

Trade Unions help; trade unions establish a sense of unity for workers in a particular workforce, and enable said workers to unite as one voice to improve their working conditions/salary.

one can not judge all Unions on the behaviour of a few so we should ban all who are found legally guilty of crimes and they should not be allowed to make political donations and should be shut down while those doing what they where originally set up for should be left to do the good work they are doing

Trade Unions hurt the economy, because they create price floors, but help people within them. I still support them I just don't really care about the overall economy.

I care more about helping people than helping the economy, a made up system invented as a control measure.

Hurt. Constant pressure on businesses to increase wages given to employees hurts Casual workers who end up with higher wages but receive less rostered hours as a consequence.

Workers do need advocacy, as there are employers who can be unscrupulous. But that's a two-way street, good-faith employers need protection from workers who would seek to take advantage and game the system, even using trade-unions to do so. The unions are a necessary evil, but the system needs serious reform.

Depends. Corruption should be screened so mafia style mob bosses are not able to thrive. If trades are standing up against the government to support Australians, like the farmers then yes they should have all rights.

Hurt but are still important and necessary to hold the checks and balances for the employee to the employer. If it hurts the economy then companies need to treat their workers better.

Unions help is heavily restricted. Companies shouldn't be able to fund unions that supposedly support their workers. Eg Coles and SDA. Also found out Fair Work Commission isn't very fair!

Depends on the circumstances, they can hinder more than help, but can fight for better wages for the working class, I think we need them, but need to weed out the corrupted ones!

Hurt but only because corporations versus profit above all else. But this is an acceptable, nay crucial, cost.

Trade Unions have a role to play in industrial relations that can both hurt and help the economy depending on the circumstancess

Mixed bag on my stance, some good some bad. Also, I feel none of the options provided are fair and balanced

Hurt, but they have the potential to help. Also ban political donations and they need to be held accountable for illegal activity AND major economic damage.

Define 'the economy'. Unions as devised help people, but my hurt the 'economy' of profiteers, rent seekers and speculators whom pray on people.

Unions should NOT be affecting the economy, instead they should assist with the workers to help increase worker's rights, workplace democracy and increase wages to where it is a living wage.

again, not all are the same, hence, each one should be examined based on their policies.

Technically hurt, but are necessary to mitigate abuse and ensure workers are treated fairly

I feel that my opinion of unions has been skewed by outside influences, and I don't trust my understanding of them.

Bit of this, bit of that

Help, so long as they do not have political power.

They can have both, at times they do hurt the economy, but other times they are very helpful and improve the economic outcomes.

Help, but can negotiate wages that are far too high for little to no work.

They've all been defanged lel

I’m uneducated

Hurt, as they have become corrupt and should have their powers limited

Hurt, but the purpose of unions is to improve working conditions not help the economy.

They help but they are not necessary

Union and government is corrupt

They serve a purpose but can be detrimental when run like a business/for profit

I dont understand this question

I was in a Union for 40 + years. I was made redundant, which the Union has to sign off on. Never heard from them. No SMS, email , phone call. Nothing. I was discussed

Help, but ban their ability to make political donations. They will be obsolete soon as smart contracts will replace lengthy negations

Dont really understand

Help, but they are too expensive and inaccessible for most people, also potential employers can discriminate against union members which needs to stop

Help but have become corrupt and pointless.

Trade unions helps workers rights but have no significant impact on economy

help in thoery, but most union leaders are in it for themselves in a lot of cases, rather than caring about the people, not always corrupt

Hurt, originally a good idea, but have become a currupt and have to much power.

They hurt some but work hard for there membership

They keep employers honest. However, it’s the bullying behaviour of the unions that is unacceptable. Maybe reducing some of their powers may weaken some of that element. They seem to do as they please which is unproductive.

Yes, but their power should be limited

Help, but concentrate on basic principals, insecure work and safety.

I think they do both honestly

Unions should be A political, they are there for the workers not politicians

Help, and trade unions should have some political power.

Hurt, but the economy is not the priority and the workers outcomes are more important.

Hurt, but I still support them

Trade Unions are good for the economy when they are of a decent size, however they should not be allowed to reach the same power that they had throughout the late 19th and early 20th century because they become a burden on economic growth as wages become too high and our international competitiveness deteriorates

I don’t jnow

depends on the union and situation, sometimes they strong arm in their views

Create another pathway by govt.Not unions.

I think that it totally depends on what the trade union is campaigning for

Hurt, but that is a good thing. Although labor organisations should not be the end goal. The end goal should be to get rid of the phenomenon of wage labouring

I do not have enough knowledge or understanding of the topic to comment.

Don’t think they do anything

Unions have been historically beneficial but now function as massive power brokers and damage society

It's the responsibility of government to provide good working conditions through proper regulations.

Not applicable to me

Hurt, they should be reorganised into guilds.

Neither, they are in bed with government and businesses

Help, as a form of collective bargaining but professionalising unions has hurt the movement

Help, but government legislation would be more effective

Help, in theory but some have recently become corrupt such as the HSU scandals.

Help, in theory, but have recently become corrupt and should have their powers limited, and ban their ability to make political donations the same as big business & the rich

How might a family’s financial stability be affected if the main breadwinner’s union goes on a long strike?

Have you or someone you know ever been in a situation where a labor union made a difference in their work-life balance?

In your opinion, should unions have more or less influence over political decision-making related to workers' rights?

How do you think workers should balance demands for better conditions with the risk of losing their jobs in today's economic climate?

How would you feel about joining a union if it meant you had to regularly participate in protests or strikes?

Have you ever considered the ethical responsibility businesses have towards their workers when it comes to wages and working conditions?

How do you think technology, remote work, or automation might change the importance of unions in the future?

It negatively correlates with how corrupt a union becomes, if integrity is kept in the union, it is a help

In your opinion, is it better to negotiate as an individual or as part of a larger group, like a union, when seeking better pay or fair treatment at work?

Can you think of any modern industries where unions are especially needed, or are there industries where unions might not be necessary at all?

Do you believe that workers should have the right to strike even if it causes significant disruptions to the economy or services?