Pattern Persistence in European Trade Union Density: A longitudinal analysis 1950-1996

Abstract

Using annual data on aggregate union membership and density in fourteen European countries, the authors examine the short-term and long-term determinants of the postwar pattern of union growth and decline in Western Europe since 1950. In an attempt to explain the observed convergence in trends and persistence in cross-national differences, most research has applied either business cycle models, using longitudinal data, or concentrated on political, structural or institutional factors, using cross-sectoral samples. Using a pooled (time-series-cross-section) regression, in error-corrected form, the authors build and test an explanatory model that incorporates structural, cyclical and institutional determinants of union decline, and allows a distinction between short-term and long-term effects. The results suggest that the convergent trend to union decline during the 1980s and 1990s is entirely endogenous to labour market changes, the impact of which is mediated by a specific and limited set of labour market institutions.

Evidence from Micro Data

“…While a left-wing political 13 This finding is consistent with a number of previous cross-national studies using aggregate data that find positive effects of workplace representation (rights) on union density; see, e.g., Hancké (1993), Ebbinghaus and Visser (1999), Checchi and Visser (2001) and Checchi and Lucifora (2002). 14 A simple probit analysis not documented here shows that the probability of union presence at the workplace significantly increases with establishment size in each country.…”

“…However, most of these studies concentrate on a single country. Cross-national variations in unionization have been analyzed in a few studies that make use of three empirical approaches: They either provide cross-sectional estimations of union density across industrialized countries at a certain date (see, for example, Western 1997, Ebbinghaus andVisser 1999), they compare changes in union membership or density in these countries over time (Ebbinghaus and Visser 1999, Blaschke 2000, Visser 2002), or they analyze a pooled time-series cross-section panel data set (Calmfors et al 2001, Checchi and Visser 2001, Checchi and Lucifora 2002. The main focus of most of these cross-national studies is on institutional factors (such as union-affiliated unemployment insurance and workplace representation) or on structural change, and all of them use aggregate data.…”

Corporate Governance Regimes and Employment Relations in Europe

“…Checchi and Visser, 2005), but we chose to use the survey data for three reasons. First, the general data would only allow us to examine the relationship between corporate governance regime and a broad existing trend.…”

“…; c.f. Checchi and Visser, 2005). 7 Some countries experience a change in their electoral system over 1991-2003.…”

Can deunionization lead to international outsourcing?

“…One exception is Skaksen and Sørensen (2001). 4 They find that outsourcing can lead the bargained wage to go up. This superficially resembles results as those of Staiger and Naylor, that unions can benefit from harder international competition.…”