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Unionization of retired workers in Europe

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  • Pyka, Vinzenz
  • Schnabel, Claus

Abstract

We shed light on an understudied group: retirees in unions. Using representative individual-level data of 19 European countries, we find that the share of retirees in unions and the union density of retirees increased between 2008 and 2020. Econometric analyses indicate that on average retired workers' probability of union membership is 17 percentage points lower than that of active workers. This finding is consistent with social custom models and cost-benefit considerations. We further find that some determinants of union membership differ between active and retired workers and that standard membership models better explain the unionization of active than retired workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Pyka, Vinzenz & Schnabel, Claus, 2023. "Unionization of retired workers in Europe," FAU Discussion Papers in Economics 06/2023, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute for Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:iwqwdp:279814
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roger B. Newson & Milena Falcaro, 2023. "Robit regression in Stata," Stata Journal, StataCorp LP, vol. 23(3), pages 658-682, September.
    2. Bruno Chiarini, 1999. "The Composition of Union Membership: The Role of Pensioners in Italy," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 37(4), pages 577-600, December.
    3. Schnabel, Claus, 2020. "Union membership and collective bargaining: Trends and determinants," FAU Discussion Papers in Economics 06/2020, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Institute for Economics.
    4. Alison L. Booth, 1985. "The Free Rider Problem and a Social Custom Model of Trade Union Membership," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 100(1), pages 253-261.
    5. John H. Pencavel, 1971. "The Demand for Union Services: An Exercise," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 24(2), pages 180-190, January.
    6. David G. Blanchflower & Alex Bryson, 2022. "Union Membership Peaks in Midlife," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(1), pages 124-151, March.
    7. Munimus, Bettina & Schroeder, Wolfgang, 2011. "Gewerkschaften als Interessenvertreter der älteren Generation?," WSI-Mitteilungen, Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, vol. 64(3), pages 107-114.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    trade union; retirement; union membership; Europe;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies
    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects

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