Voluntary union membership of women and men: Differences in personal characteristics, perceptions and attitudes

Abstract

On the basis ofprevious research and unincorporated theoriesofattitude formation and learning, multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis were used to identify differences in personal characteristics, perceptions and attitudes of union members and nonmembers in general, and by sex. The study used a natural field setting incorporating the unusual characteristics of: (a) substantial proportions of women, (6) complete volition in the membership decision, and (c) control of non-random confounding variables across employment settings. The study therefore addressed particular limitatiohs of previous studies in this area. Results indicate that differences exist, in accordance with relevant theory, between voluntary members and nonmembers, and potentially important sex differences exist within these groups as well.

Determinants of Union Membership: A Review

“…Year Significant independent variables Insignificant independent variables Snyder et al 1986 high level of educationǹ(0.1%), length of tenureǹ(0.1%) satisfaction with: #promotions(0.1%), organisational commitment(1%), perceived role conflictǹ(0.1%) age, supervisory status, job satisfaction, satisfaction with pay, satisfaction with supervision, satisfaction with co-workers, role ambiguity, perceived degree of personal competence Van den Berg & Groot 1992 maleǹ(1%), non-Dutch(10%), ageǹ(1%), tenure/100ǹ(5%), tenure squared/1000(10%), educational levelǹ(1%), church(10%), father white-collarǹ(5%), commercial occupationǹ(5%), caring professionǹ(10%), educational professionǹ(1%), company size/1000ǹ(5%), civil servantǹ(1%), repetitive work5%), heavy workǹ(1%), irregular workǹ(1%), dirty workǹ(1%), part-time work(1%), temporary work(5%), perceived level of unemploymentǹ(5%), expecting to be made redundantǹ(5%), wage rateǹ(1%), wage rate squared(1%), satisfaction with pay(5%), being located in the Western region(10%), urbanisation (…”

Why Do Workers Belong to a Trade Union?: A Social Psychological Study in the UK Electronics Industry

“…One recent American study examined influences on voluntary union membership among 525 employees of a social service organisation, just over half of whom belonged to a union (Snyder, Verderber and Morris, 1986). A central aim of the study was to explore the impact of sex differences.…”

The Character of American Workers: Psychological Predictors of Union Interest as Tools for American Union Practitioners

“…First, Snyder et al (1986) hypothesized that union members would report less favorable "selfreferent attitudes" than nonunion employees. Using a sample of American social service employees (52% of whom were members), they did not confirm the hypothesis, but reported a Membership X Gender interaction effect for "sense of competence" associated with "mastery of the work environment" (Snyder et al 1986, p. 207), with higher levels of self-rated competence shown by nonunion men.…”