Employer associations consist of groups of employers who represent and participate on behalf of their members. They combine their activities to protect their mutual interest and objectives. These associations can either be reactive or proactive. 'However, employer associations have a wide range of functions, covering both trade and industrial matters such as information, publicity, promotion, finance, education and research, trade regulations and political lobbying' (Deery and Plowman, 1985:182-3).

Employer associations deal with industrial relations issues affecting their members. A distinction can, in practice, be made between employer organisations and employer associations. Not all employer organisations are

The functions of an employer association can be determined by its constitution and by members' demands and can be categorised as follows: Firstly, provision of a forum to enable individual employers to exchange views and to develop and express policies. Secondly, representation to employers' interests to governments and other public policy making bodies. Thirdly, communication of employers' interests and views to the media and the community generally. Fourthly, provision of specialised services to members. Fifthly, industrial relations activities and services to members, including representing employers generally, and individual employers, in conciliation and arbitration proceedings (Gladstone, 1984:24). (Marker's Comments)

concerned with industrial relations issues. Those which are, are referred to as 'employer associations' (Deery and Plowman, op cit, p.191). Thus, employer associations are a particular form of employer organisation. In essence, employer organisations developed to provide services which individual employers could not provide nearly as easily. More specifically, employer organisations were developed to fulfil a number of aims. The aim of employer groups are varied. The first is to regulate trade and competition by mutual agreement. The second is to seek statutory protection in trade, particularly concerning imports. The third is to provide services in the fields of industrial relations and personnel administration. The fourth is to lobby within the political arena in opposition to social legislation (concerning, for example, minimum pay laws, reduced hours of work, and, in Australia, the establishment of conciliation and arbitration tribunals) (Windmuller, 1984:1).

This essay explored the activities and structures of employer associations. Recognition of their differences from trade unions is surveyed in the context of questions about the reasons for their formation, their organisation and coordination, and their strategies and influence. Employer associations in Australia cope with the ever-present possibilities of disunity by maintaining broad policies, not attempting to enforce unified action and concentrating on services and information. Arbitration, by minimising the costs of disunity, actually supports the tendency to fragmentation but paradoxically also gives employer associations a continuing role. It does so because a number of employers will rely on the associations for technical advice and representation in this arena (Gardner and Palmer, 1992:126).

A central national employer organisation which differs somewhat in its organisational arr

Some common words found in the essay are:
Association Plowman, Deery Plowman, Membership BCA, , Gardner Palmer, Marker's Comments, Labor Councils, Industry Association, Chamber Manufacturers, employer associations, Manufacturers' Association, industrial relations, employer organisations, individual employers, employer association, australian chamber, industry associations, industrial relations issues, full-time staff, single industry, industry association, trades industry association, concerned industrial relations, australian chamber manufacturers, metal trades industry,
Approximate Word count = 1747
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)