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Why Join? Why Stay? Instrumentality, Beliefs, Satisfaction and Individual Decisions on Union Membership

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  • David Peetz

Abstract

To understand individuals' union membership choices it is necessary to examine decisions both to join and to leave (exit) unions, observed when employees are in jobs where unions are available and there is freedom of choice on union membership (‘open’ jobs). Using multivariate analysis of survey data, it was found that sympathy towards unions was the most powerful influence upon union joining, but had little impact on union exit, which was more a function of the perceived instrumentality of membership. Employee perceptions on union in-fighting and cooperation with management influenced union membership, as did the outcome of involvement in industrial disputes. Satisfaction with union delegates was a key influence on attitudes and membership. Employee trust of management only influenced exit behaviour through its interaction with satisfaction with union delegates. Job satisfaction had a complex relationship with union membership that is disguised in aggregated studies.

Suggested Citation

  • David Peetz, 1998. "Why Join? Why Stay? Instrumentality, Beliefs, Satisfaction and Individual Decisions on Union Membership," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 9(1), pages 123-148, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecolab:v:9:y:1998:i:1:p:123-148
    DOI: 10.1177/103530469800900106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Farber, Henry S & Saks, Daniel H, 1980. "Why Workers Want Unions: The Role of Relative Wages and Job Characteristics," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 88(2), pages 349-369, April.
    2. David E. Guest & Philip Dewe, 1991. "Company or Trade Union: Which Wins Workers' Allegiance? A Study of Commitment in the UK Electronics Industry," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 29(1), pages 75-96, March.
    3. Farber, Henry S, 1990. "The Decline of Unionization in the United States: What Can Be Learned from Recent Experience," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(1), pages 75-105, January.
    4. Green, Francis, 1990. "Trade Union Availability and Trade Union Membership in Britain," The Manchester School of Economic & Social Studies, University of Manchester, vol. 58(4), pages 378-394, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patrice Laroche, 2016. "A Meta-Analysis of the Union–Job Satisfaction Relationship," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(4), pages 709-741, December.
    2. Dr Sukhan Jackson & Helen Higgs & Glenda Cooper, 2002. "Determinants Of Unionisation For Part-Time Women Employees In Australian Banks," Discussion Papers Series 317, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    3. Michael Dobbie & Daehoon Nahm, 2018. "The Determinants of Individual Union Membership in Australia: A Structural Approach Using Panel Data," Economic Papers, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 37(1), pages 75-91, March.

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