Do economic conditions influence union activism behaviour?. (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Angrave, David; Charlwood, Andy; Greenwood, Ian
• Is Part Of: Economic and industrial democracy. Volume 38:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 344
• Page End: 369
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Economic conditions -- trade unions -- union activism; Management -- Employee participation -- Periodicals; 331.0112
• DOI: 10.1177/0143831X15571641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-831X

Abstract

This article develops and tests the theory that union activism is related to economic conditions using a nationally representative panel of workers from the UK. Results suggest that a fall in real wages of two percentage points and a three percentage point increase in the unemployment rate are both associated with a one-tenth increase in the probability that a 'benchmark' worker will become a union activist (albeit from a low base). This relationship is largely explained by the behaviour of workers in highly unionized sectors.