Characteristics and Customs: Empirical Evidence on the Union‐joining Decision Available to Purchase

Presents the results of a survey which re‐examines the question of which workers choose to belong to unions in the light of recent theoretical developments in the area. However, the results also indicate that various personal and job‐related characteristics are important and this suggests that unions are at least perceived to provide services from which individuals can readily be excluded if they do not join. In an era when unions can no longer rely on closed shop provisions to uphold their membership totals, such findings have important policy implications.