The Psychological Impact of Industrial Strikes: Does Involvement in Union Activity during Strikes make a Difference?

Abstract

The current study investigated the psychological impact of a United Steelworkers of America strike on the steelworkers involved, and the relationship between psychological well-being and individuals' levels of involvement in union activity during the strike. Three hundred and fifty-one steelworkers (302 'strikers' and 49 'non-strikers') completed surveys measuring a range of demographic and psychological well-being variables. Strikers, compared to non-strikers, reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and irritation, and lower levels of mental health. For strikers, engaging in higher levels of union activity during the strike was associated with better psychological well-being. Jahoda's theory of deprivation during unemployment is used as the lens through which to explain some of the results, supporting the view that latent benefits associated with work are important for psychological well-being. A range of practical implications are offered for unions and their members.

The Motherhood Experiences of Women Employees: An Interpretive Field Study in Turkey

“…The most frequently needed support mechanism is institutional daycare centers. Supports provided by organizations for child care of working mothers to work-family balance are daycare centers in the workplace (Beauregard & Henry, 2009;Glass & Riley, 1998;Meurs, Breaux, & Perrewe, 2008;Veiga, Baldridge, & Eddleston, 2004), affordable access to contractual daycare centers (Fowler, Gudmundsson, & Whicker, 2006), providing financial support for childcare costs (Beauregard & Henry, 2009;Glass & Riley, 1998) and providing lactation rooms (Çakmak-Otluoğlu, 2015, p.85). Similarly, research by Albrecht (2003) showed that the support mechanisms called "family-friendly workplace policies" do not adequately support working mothers.…”

Collective action and labour militancy interrupted: Back-to-work legislation and the state of permanent exceptionalism at Air Canada

“…Studies of job action in the postal industry, for instance, have indicated that in the case of public sector labour disputes, workers’ feelings towards the government became more negative as a consequence of the nature of the state’s involvement in the strike (Langford, 1996). More recent literature suggests that social factors can be attributed to the continuation of stress among employees even after a strike has been settled (Fowler et al, 2009), part of the ‘dark side of solidarity’ (Thommes et al, 2014). Our article bridges these aspects of existing research by joining political economy with social scientific lines of enquiry examining what prompts workers to engage in job action in the context of legislative intervention and a legacy of corporate restructuring.…”

Factors Contributing to Students’ Perceptions of Fairness Following an Academic Strike

“…One means of achieving this mandate is through collective bargaining with the employer. When there is a breakdown in the collective bargaining process, the resulting strikes or lockouts are a significant source of stress for management, employees, and their families (Barling & Milligan, 1987;Bluen & Barling, 1988;Fowler, Gudmundsson, & Whicker, 2009;MacBride, Lancee, & Freeman, 1981;Vispo & Shine, 1985). Members of management may face longer workdays as they perform the duties of striking or locked-out employees, or they may encounter altercations as they cross picket lines.…”