The registration of the Rugby League Professionals Association as an organisation under the Workplace Relations Act 1996

Tilda Khoshaba, Gordon Stewart, Paul W. Hyland

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    Abstract

    ![CDATA[The changing nature of the sports industry, from a pastime or a leisurely activity, where individual leagues (sports) were governed by their own rules, to one that is a 'big business', which creates opportunities for entertainment, manufacturing, endorsement, the printed media and employment, has meant that players are now workers and are subject to the same legality and institutions encompassing employment relations. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) registered the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) as a union, on 13 February 2004, making it the first registered trade union for sports players in Australia. Although it is argued that the future of trade unionism in Australia remains under continuous scrutiny, given the decline in union membership and the changes to Australia's political and economic environment, the example of the RLPA should be regarded as a move against the declining trend. This paper will endeavour to show that the sports industry will play a significant role in challenging the view that trade unionism in Australia is declining and will continue to decline. The case study of the RLPA will prove that player apathy is a thing of the past, and that players are willing and able to use the industrial relations framework to seek better working conditions, not only for the current generation but for all those who follow.]]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationRegionalism and Globalisation: the Challenge for Employment Relations: Proceedings of the 12th Annual Conference of the International Employment Relations Association (IERA), held at Yeppoon, Qld., 5-8 July, 2004
    PublisherFaculty of Business and Law, Central Queensland University
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Print)1876674636
    Publication statusPublished - 2004
    EventInternational Employment Relations Association. Conference -
    Duration: 1 Jan 2004 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceInternational Employment Relations Association. Conference
    Period1/01/04 → …

    Keywords

    • Rugby League football
    • professional sports
    • labor unions
    • Australian Industrial Relations Commission
    • Rugby League Players Association
    • work environment

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