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The effects of public goods framing for a union default policy

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Harcourt

    (University of Waikato, New Zealand)

  • Gregor Gall

    (University of Leeds, UK)

  • Margaret Wilson

    (University of Waikato, New Zealand)

Abstract

Union provision of collective bargaining and political lobbying generates positive outcomes across society. A union default holds significant promise to revive the flagging fortunes of unions by enabling them to recruit many more members, extend their bargaining coverage, and place them in a stronger position to deliver these positive outcomes. Non-unionism is the default setting in employment arrangements. A union default would reverse this, so employees are defaulted into membership in the first instance, but with a right to opt-out. In this article the authors test whether framing unions as providers of public goods increases worker support for a union default and intention to stay in a union, if defaulted. The authors find that workers are significantly more likely to support a union default and stay in union membership in scenarios involving positive framing for unions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Harcourt & Gregor Gall & Margaret Wilson, 2023. "The effects of public goods framing for a union default policy," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 44(4), pages 1197-1221, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:44:y:2023:i:4:p:1197-1221
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X221120526
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    References listed on IDEAS

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