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Unionization

Unionization is the creation and growth of modern trade unions. Trade unions were often seen as a left-wing, socialist concept,[1] whose popularity has increased during the 19th century when a rise in industrial capitalism saw a decrease in motives for up-keeping workers' rights.[2]

This article is about the formation of trade unions. For the article about trade unions, see trade union.

Workers usually create unions when they face a certain struggle within their industry. They tend to organize themselves by sector of employment and may join a general union to represent employees in all sectors. Different unions may vary in how much emphasis is placed on participation, union leadership, aims, and techniques, depending on the impact of their action.[3][4]


On average, blue-collar workers tend to be more unionized than white-collar workers.[5]

Opposition[edit]

Company management usually disprove of unions due to collective action by workers cutting into a company's profit shares.[10] Although, in the United States, it is illegal for an employer to interfere with workers' right to unionize,[11] workers may sometimes feel agitated about joining a union if disapproval is expected from employers, as there may be an underlying belief that an employee's social standing with an employer may be tarnished.[12]


Employers who take part in actively combating the process of unionization or the efforts of the union are engaging in union busting.

Effects of unionization[edit]

In relation to gender[edit]

According to a study conducted in 1992, conventional unionization organization strategies were most applicable towards men working in the manufacturing sector, forcing those who were not affiliated with such to initiate contact with a union. Women were more likely than men to desire a form of unionization, however they were recorded as least likely to join a union.[17]

In relation to productivity[edit]

Early industrial relations researchers believed unionization might safeguard employment by fighting technological and mechanical advances. Recent researchers developed dynamic union-firm bargaining approaches. Monopoly unions can boost salaries and appropriate quasi-rents from employers' capital, but others predict that firms would decrease capital investment to prevent appropriation, lowering productivity.[18]


Unionization has been demonstrated to be associated with greater employee retention, even when unionized employees experience greater amounts of dissatisfaction in the workplace.[11] This is associated with the fact that employees experiencing dissatisfaction will be able to voice their concerns more effectively through the use of the union.

Amazon worker organization

Google worker organization

Starbucks unions

Unionization in the tech sector