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A Tale of Two Locals: The Strategic Choice of a Trade Union during the 2019 GM–UAW Strike and Member Satisfaction

Author

Listed:
  • Maite Tapia
  • Christian L. Ibsen
  • Mark Strolle
  • Carla Lima Aranzaes
  • Philip S. DeOrtentiis

Abstract

Industrial relations (IR) scholars emphasize the strategic choices of industrial relations actors to explain IR processes and outcomes. This article asserts that union member satisfaction is critical to realize unions’ objectives and that the local union and work context shapes satisfaction. The authors study the 2019 national UAW strike against General Motors in two, at first sight, very similar union locals. Union members of one local approved the agreement while the other local rejected the agreement. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, the authors explain the different outcomes. Their analysis of a unique worker survey conducted during the strike shows that general member satisfaction was an important dimension for supporting the union’s strategic choices. Qualitative case studies of the two locals highlight the importance of shares of transfer workers—“invisible divides†—when examining member satisfaction. Broadly, findings contribute to the strategic choice literature and emphasize the local union context as a key locus for producing successful outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Maite Tapia & Christian L. Ibsen & Mark Strolle & Carla Lima Aranzaes & Philip S. DeOrtentiis, 2025. "A Tale of Two Locals: The Strategic Choice of a Trade Union during the 2019 GM–UAW Strike and Member Satisfaction," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 78(1), pages 123-154, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:78:y:2025:i:1:p:123-154
    DOI: 10.1177/00197939241290228
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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.
    2. Adam Mrozowicki & Vera Trappmann, 2021. "Precarity as a Biographical Problem? Young Workers Living with Precarity in Germany and Poland," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(2), pages 221-238, April.
    3. Kim Voss, 2010. "Democratic dilemmas: union democracy and union renewal," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 369-382, August.
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