Abstract
This study analyzes U.S. union organizing activity and membership growth from 1990 to 2004, a period in which an overall pattern
of union decline continued and in which organizing achieved renewed prominence as both a union policy and public policy issue.
Models for organizing activity and membership growth were proposed and tested. Union decentralization and employer opposition
were found to be key predictors of organizing activity differences among unions. These same factors, along with organizing
activity, helped explain union differences in membership growth, as did a “Sweeney era” effect.
of union decline continued and in which organizing achieved renewed prominence as both a union policy and public policy issue.
Models for organizing activity and membership growth were proposed and tested. Union decentralization and employer opposition
were found to be key predictors of organizing activity differences among unions. These same factors, along with organizing
activity, helped explain union differences in membership growth, as did a “Sweeney era” effect.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-26
- DOI 10.1007/s12122-012-9144-y
- Authors
- Jack Fiorito, College of Business, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3061110, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1110, USA
- Paul Jarley, College of Business Administration, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
- Journal Journal of Labor Research
- Online ISSN 1936-4768
- Print ISSN 0195-3613