ABSTRACT

This chapter considers the factors associated with members’ commitment to, and participation in, their unions, with the latter conceptualized broadly to encompass formal and informal activities. Key findings from the research literature are highlighted and the policy implications for unions discussed. A notable finding is that instrumentality does not fully explain why members commit to and participate in unions, with pro-union attitudes and ideological motivations also significant. Research findings suggest that unions need to go beyond narrow instrumentalism and should instead pursue a broader social justice agenda, perhaps, encompassing notions such as “community unionism”. Findings also suggest that this should be associated with a local union leadership style that emphasizes member participation and aims to build members’ sense of shared mission and self-worth as a union member. Finally, the chapter reviews future research needs, focusing on how researchers can help inform more effective union strategy.

Keywords: Union commitment; union participation; union effectiveness; challenges for unions

INTRODUCTION

Unions in the UK, the US and elsewhere have been in crisis in terms of absolute and relative membership levels and in economic and political influence. “Union renewal” has been an ongoing project for some time, linked to an attempt to focus more strongly on union organizing, rather than simply servicing existing members (e.g. Heery et al. 2000). A key concern is with the extent to which unions can wield the necessary resources to maintain their existing organization as well as to organize new sectors, especially given the limited numbers of employed union officials and their dependence upon lay activists to shoulder much of the burden of member servicing and recruitment (Gall & Fiorito 2012b). Although some have suggested that member activism is not necessarily the key to union renewal in every situation, with central leadership strategy and the role of full-time officer involvement more significant in some campaigns, member activism emerges as a key factor in many cases (Hickey, Kuruvilla & Lakhani 2010). Furthermore, in recent years, lay activism itself has been in decline as members are more reluctant to take on active roles (Gall & Fiorito 2012b).