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Does the Impact of Union Experience on Job Satisfaction Differ by Gender?

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  • Benjamin Artz

Abstract

The author investigates gender differences in the impact of accumulated union experience on job satisfaction. Because there are fewer women than men in both public and private sector unions, and women are disproportionately underrepresented in union leadership, their collective bargaining power is not equivalent to that of men. As a result, women's preferences for job characteristics and benefits may be overlooked, contributing to reduced job satisfaction as their tenure in the union increases. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) panel data from 1979–2004, the author demonstrates that the accumulation of union experience negatively affects women's job satisfaction more severely than it does men's. This is particularly the case in private sector unions, in which women are more likely to be under-represented in both union membership and leadership positions.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Artz, 2012. "Does the Impact of Union Experience on Job Satisfaction Differ by Gender?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 65(2), pages 225-243, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:65:y:2012:i:2:p:225-243
    DOI: 10.1177/001979391206500202
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Goerke, Laszlo & Huang, Yue, 2022. "Job satisfaction and trade union membership in Germany," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Crawford Charman & Ann L. Owen, 2014. "Collective happiness: labour union membership and life satisfaction," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(13), pages 924-927, September.
    4. Artz, Benjamin & Blanchflower, David G. & Bryson, Alex, 2022. "Unions increase job satisfaction in the United States," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 173-188.
    5. David G. Blanchflower & Alex Bryson, 2020. "Now Unions Increase Job Satisfaction and Well-being," NBER Working Papers 27720, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    6. 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.
    7. Olivier Guillot & Magali Jaoul-Grammare & Isabelle Terraz, 2024. "Job strain and union membership: An empirical study based on French data," Working Papers of BETA 2024-08, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    8. Ioulia Bessa & Andy Charlwood & Danat Valizade, 2021. "Do Unions Cause Job Dissatisfaction? Evidence from a Quasi‐Experiment in the United Kingdom," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(2), pages 251-278, June.
    9. Joni Hersch & Jean Xiao, 2016. "Sex, Race, and Job Satisfaction Among Highly Educated Workers," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 83(1), pages 1-24, July.
    10. Chad D. Cotti & M. Ryan Haley & Laurie A. Miller, 2014. "Workplace Flexibilities, Job Satisfaction and Union Membership in the US Workforce," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 52(3), pages 403-425, September.
    11. Colin P. Green & John S. Heywood, 2015. "Dissatisfied Union Workers: Sorting Revisited," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 53(3), pages 580-600, September.
    12. Colin Peter Green & John Spencer Heywood & Parvinder Kler & Gareth Leeves, 2016. "Paradox lost," Working Papers 107134075, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    13. Yuliya Frolova, 2014. "What Job will Bring Satisfaction? An Analysis based on Responses of Students Studying Business in Kazakhstan," Eurasian Journal of Business and Management, Eurasian Publications, vol. 2(2), pages 25-49.
    14. Laszlo Goerke, 2020. "Unions and Workers' Well-being," IAAEU Discussion Papers 202008, Institute of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union (IAAEU).
    15. Zaiton Osman & Phang Ing@Grace & Azaze-Azizi Abd Adis & Izyanti Awg Razli & Mohd Rizwan Abd Majid & Imbarine Bujang, 2016. "Retirement Planning & Job Satisfaction: Cushion to Avoid Bridge Employment?," Asian Social Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(1), pages 30-41, January.

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