The Job of the Full-Time Trade Union Official

Abstract

This paper exarnines the work activities and work patterns of 91 New Zealand full-time union officials located at different levels in the paid trade union structure. While officials with managerial responsibilities in their unions allocated their work-time to various tasks differently compared to those in non-managerial positions, broad similarities existed in terms of how and when managerial and non-managerial union officials morked. The findings are discussed in terrns of the current legislative climate in New Zealand.