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Do economic conditions influence union activism behaviour?

Author

Listed:
  • David Angrave

    (York Management School, University of York, UK)

  • Andy Charlwood

    (Loughborough University, UK)

  • Ian Greenwood

    (Leeds University Business School, UK)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • David Angrave & Andy Charlwood & Ian Greenwood, 2017. "Do economic conditions influence union activism behaviour?," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 38(2), pages 344-369, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:38:y:2017:i:2:p:344-369
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X15571641
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Stewart Johnstone & George Saridakis & Adrian Wilkinson, 2019. "The Global Financial Crisis, Work and Employment: Ten Years On," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 40(3), pages 455-468, August.
    2. Wen Wang & Mark Cook & Roger Seifert, 2021. "Foreign ownership and job insecurity during the recession: The moderating effect of union density in the UK," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 42(3), pages 785-804, August.
    3. Bernd Brandl & Barbara Bechter, 2019. "The hybridization of national collective bargaining systems: The impact of the economic crisis on the transformation of collective bargaining in the European Union," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 40(3), pages 469-489, August.

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