A model of the antecedents of early union commitment: The role of socialization experiences and steward characteristics

Abstract

The present study aimed at investigating the influence of shop steward characteristics and early union socialization experiences on new members' attitudes toward unions and their affective commitment to the union. Two thousand surveys were mailed to the most recent members of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Of these, 658 (33 per cent) were returned. Focusing on those individuals who had joined the union within the past 12 months yielded a usable sample of 585. A two‐stage, structural equation modeling approach indicated a satisfactory goodness‐of‐fit for both the measurement and structural models. Individual socialization experiences significantly affected union attitudes. The latter variable was a significant predictor of union commitment. These results are discussed in the context of the organizational socialization literature and union commitment research.

Nouvelles identités professionnelles des femmes et syndicalisme : une possible compatibilité ?

“…Nous distinguons entre les femmes qui ont des responsabilités familiales et celles qui n'ont pas d'enfant tout en tenant compte de l'âge (suite aux tests de multi-colinéarité). (Fullagar et al 1994) en posant la question suivante : « Diriez-vous que votre entourage immédiat (conjoint, amis, famille) est tout à fait, assez, peu ou pas du tout favorable aux syndicats ? ».…”

Forecasting Stock Exchange Opening with Foreign Stock Markets: Evidence from the NYSE and the SSE

“…There are common elements underpinning the two forms of collective action, including closure strategies and strong socialization antecedents (Fullagar et al, 1994;Milton, 2003;Parkin, 1979;Pratt et al, 2006). To some extent all organizations compete for membership and loyalty.…”

First-Timers and Late-Bloomers: Youth-Adult Unionization Differences in a Cohort of the U.S. Labor Force

“…Extending this logic to union representation, this "experience good" model of unionism predicts that an individual who is satisfied with union representation would want to be represented by a union in the future. Complementary research in psychology reveals that new union members who participate in formal and informal socialization activities will exhibit greater levels of union commitment (Fullagar, McCoy, and Shull 1992;Clark et al 1993;Fullagar et al 1994). Similarly, workers who have what they believe to be a poor experience with union representation are more likely to avoid union representation in future jobs (Prowse and Prowse 2006).…”

“…These results uncover new areas of research that can help us better understand unionization trends, and they have important practical implications for how companies and labor unions can devise strategies for shaping individuals' attitudes toward unions. 1 Fullagar, McCoy, and Shull (1992), Clark et al (1993), and Fullagar et al (1994) analyzed the socialization of new union members in one union, but the experiences analyzed are not necessarily these workers' first unionized jobs. The mean age in the sample used in Clark et al (1993) and Fullagar et al (1994) is 35 years old; it is 25 years old in Fullagar, McCoy, and Shull (1992).…”

“…1 Fullagar, McCoy, and Shull (1992), Clark et al (1993), and Fullagar et al (1994) analyzed the socialization of new union members in one union, but the experiences analyzed are not necessarily these workers' first unionized jobs. The mean age in the sample used in Clark et al (1993) and Fullagar et al (1994) is 35 years old; it is 25 years old in Fullagar, McCoy, and Shull (1992). Our sample starts tracking individuals at age 15/16 to identify workers' first and subsequent unionized jobs.…”