Many a Good Tune Played on an Old Fiddle: Working Relations and the Ageing Workforce

By Glennis Hanley and Tui McKeown

The ageing workforce seem s to present large challenges for pubic policy, business and economies as the post war baby boomers head towards retirement age

Pressure on social protection systems developed since the 1930s and pressure on the functions of the labour market are manifestations of this. Industry will feel the impact on demand supply sides. Consumer demands will alter. Another issue is an ageing trade union membership. The authors see unions reaching crisis as the demographic changes see them facing issues of critical mass. Solutions are being sought through a diverse range of approaches to encourage the employment of older workers The European Union and Australian approaches are examined.

Monash University. Business and Economics. Dept of Management Working Paper no 32, 2005)