The Effect Of Environmental And Economic Factors On The Choice Of Union

Abstract

This study examines the factors influencing the joint union/employee choice regarding representation of work units using 16,292 elections from 1977 to 1981. The proposition tested is that AFL-CIO affiliates, the Teamsters, and other independent national unions are selective in choosing who they will represent. Employees desiring union representation are left to form independent local unions when AFL-CIO affiliates, the Teamsters, and other independent national unions decline to represent them. It is proposed that the unions choice to represent (or not) a unit of employees is based upon environment and economic conditions supportive of a greater (lesser) ability to improve that units working conditions and greater (lesser) benefits and lower (higher) costs to the union. Results indicate that the Teamsters attempted to organize and independent local unions were formed in units where working conditions were unlikely to be improved and the benefits to the union were low. AFL-CIO affiliates and independent national unions attempted to organize units where improvements in working conditions were more likely and the benefits were greater.