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Determinants of the Outcomes of Union Certification Elections

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  • William N. Cooke

Abstract

This study analyzes determinants of union election outcomes at the level of the work unit. Within a theoretical framework of utility maximization, voting behavior is modeled as a function of the social psychology of groups, the economic and sociopolitical environment, NLRB procedures, and the extent of union organization of the industry. Utilizing NLRB certification-election records for 1979, the author finds a negative relationship between unit size and union victories in units of fewer than 65 workers, but no relationship in larger units. Also negatively related to union victories are delays between petition and election dates, elections held in southern states having right-to-work laws, and elections involving the Teamsters. In contrast, workers are more likely to vote for representation as unemployment levels and the proportion of consent elections rise and as the rate of unionization in their industry rises to 35 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • William N. Cooke, 1983. "Determinants of the Outcomes of Union Certification Elections," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 36(3), pages 402-414, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:36:y:1983:i:3:p:402-414
    DOI: 10.1177/001979398303600306
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    Cited by:

    1. Roland Zullo, 2021. "Does the open shop harm union collective action?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(2), pages 183-197, March.
    2. Casey Ichniowski, 1988. "Public Sector Union Growth and Bargaining Laws: A Proportional Hazards Approach with Time-Varying Treatments," NBER Chapters, in: When Public Sector Workers Unionize, pages 19-40, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Henry S. Farber & Bruce Western, 2000. "Round Up The Usual Suspects: The Decline of Unions in The Private Sector, 1973-1998," Working Papers 816, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
    4. Rachel Aleks, 2019. "What Professionals Want: Union and Employer Tactics in Representation Elections of Professional Workers," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 72(3), pages 693-717, May.
    5. Robert Armstrong & Michael Floren & Jason Imbrogno & Keith Malone, 2024. "Impacts of racial diversity and firm size on union voting behavior in Alabama," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), pages 20-32, January.
    6. Henry S. Farber & Bruce Western, 2000. "Round Up The Usual Suspects: The Decline of Unions in The Private Sector, 1973-1998," Working Papers 816, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..

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