Strategies and Tactics in Union Organizing Campaigns

Abstract

This study assesses the effects of employer and union organizing tactics on union election wins versus losses, the percentage of votes, and the time between election and first contract signing. The data were obtained from the organizing staff of a large international union. The results showed that some tactics resulted in expected election outcomes, but others resulted in unexpected outcomes.

Managerial Opposition to Union Certification in Quebec and Ontario

“…However, two studies relying on alternative measures of this variable reach different conclusions. Peterson, Lee and Finnegan's (1992) findings indicate that the distribution of right-towork literature reduced support for the union and certification probability; Bronfenbrenner (1997) found that the number of company letters distributed during U.S. certification election campaigns significantly reduced the proportion of votes received by the union and the likelihood of a union win.…”

“…Recall that the figure of 18% reported by Peterson, Lee and Finnegan (1992) refers to the distribution of right to work literature, which is a much narrower category than that utilized by our survey questionnaire.…”

“…Freeman & Kleiner (1990) 1982-83 274 Field survey of organizers involved in NLRB election drives conducted by the AFL-CIO Department of Organization and Field Services. Peterson, Lee & Finnegan (1992) ?…”

“…Three studies (Lawler and West 1985;Reed 1989;Peterson, Lee and Finnegan 1992) examined the effect of threats on the proportion of employees supporting certification, while two of these (Reed 1989;Peterson, Lee and Finnegan 1992) examined the impact of employer threats on certification probability. All fail to find a significant relationship between employer threats and union organizing success.…”

“…Only Lawler and West (1985) investigated the effect of small group meetings; they found the tactic had a significant and negative effect on union support. Four studies (Lawler and West 1985;Reed 1989;Peterson, Lee and Finnegan 1992;Bronfenbrenner 1997) examined the relationship between promises of increased wages and benefits and employee support for certification; however, only one (Bronfenbrenner 1997) reported that this tactic is negatively and significantly related to certification probability.…”