INDIVIDUALISM, COLLECTIVISM AND AWARDS IN THE AUSTRALIAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Abstract

This paper uses a new theoretical framework for the analysis of individualism and collectivism to explore trends in the nature and operation of awards in the Australian hospitality industry—a case that is important because of the industry's low-paid and precarious workforce and its high reliance on awards in setting wages and working conditions. The broad conclusion is that these awards became less collectivist and more individualist between the early 1990s and 2010. However, distinguishing between individualism/collectivism in different domains of the employment relationship allows a more nuanced analysis than this broad conclusion suggests. On the one hand, the making and variation of awards remained largely collectivist, with unions and employer associations retaining their influence. On the other hand, the coverage and content of awards as well as their enforcement became much more individualist, meaning that awards were codes of individual employment rights enforceable by employees and state agencies rather than unions. While these findings cannot be generalised, they provide valuable insights and raise important questions about awards in other industries and the future of Australian employment relations.