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The Difficulty of Implementing Union Mergers: Investigating the Role of Members’ Merger Orientation

Author

Listed:
  • Stephan Baraldi

    (Stockholm University)

  • Magnus Sverke

    (Stockholm University)

  • Gary Chaison

    (Clark University)

Abstract

The difficulty of implementing union mergers is reflected in the large proportion of unsuccessful planned mergers. In many cases, this is due to members opposing the merger proposal. Despite this problem, few studies have investigated the significance of members’ orientations in merger implementation. The ability to predict if members will support a merger proposition would be valuable to union leaders planning mergers. Using questionnaire data from members of four Swedish unions involved in an unsuccessful merger attempt, this study investigates predictors of members’ merger orientation - the members’ attitude towards union mergers in general, their expectations about specific merger outcomes, and their intention to vote in favour of a specific merger proposal. The analysis shows that union commitment, union tenure and being informed about a merger proposal significantly predicted merger orientation. Furthermore, the analysis revealed signs of officer opposition. This suggests that a committed and well-informed membership is a crucial precondition to successful merger implementation, and that a merger proposal stands little chance without the support of union leaders.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephan Baraldi & Magnus Sverke & Gary Chaison, 2006. "The Difficulty of Implementing Union Mergers: Investigating the Role of Members’ Merger Orientation," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 27(3), pages 485-504, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:27:y:2006:i:3:p:485-504
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X06065965
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sjoerd Goslinga & Magnus Sverke, 2003. "Atypical Work and Trade Union Membership: Union Attitudes and Union Turnover among Traditional vs Atypically Employed Union Members," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 24(2), pages 290-312, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Victor M Catano, 2010. "Union members’ attitudes and perceptions about their union: Winning a representational election following a merger of four hospitals," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 31(4), pages 579-592, November.
    2. Martin Behrens & Andreas Pekarek, 2012. "To merge or not to merge? The impact of union merger decisions on workers' representation in G ermany," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(6), pages 527-547, November.

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