The union experience: Workplace instrumentality, prosocial unionism, and union satisfaction

Abstract

Although prior research on union satisfaction emphasized the importance of workplace issues, such as wages, hours, and working conditions for union member satisfaction, some research has suggested satisfaction with union representation is more nuanced. Specifically, because unions extend their activities beyond the workplace to include all working people and societal issues, these activities also affect the experience of union members. This two-sample study uses a 2018 Qualtrics panel and a 2003 telephone survey to uncover additional aspects of union satisfaction determinants. Despite the prominence of the business union philosophy and its focus on union workplace instrumentality, results show prosocial unionism also is a significant predictor of union satisfaction.