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Prosocial Unionism, Workplace Instrumentality and the Union Experience in the United States, Canada and France

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Satisfaction with union representation is often linked to a union's ability to improve compensation and working conditions (workplace instrumentality). Yet, union activities extend beyond the workplace, affecting social, political and economic outcomes. We explore workplace instrumentality and prosocial unionism as predictors of members’ ‘union experience’, a proxy for union satisfaction, in the United States, Canada and France. We propose that the workplace instrumentality effect on union satisfaction is strongest where union strategies are more market‐oriented (e.g., Canada and the United States), and that the prosocial unionism effect on union satisfaction is strongest where unions are more oriented to society and class (e.g., France). Results provide partial support but also demonstrate the importance of prosocial unionism as a key predictor in all three nations.

Source: British Journal of Industrial Relations

DOI: 10.1111/bjir.70043

Authors: D. C. De La Haye, Andrew Keyes, Pauline de Becdelièvre, Lorenzo Frangi, Jack Fiorito

Institutions: Florida State University, California State University, Fresno, Université Paris-Saclay, RITM Research Center in Economics & Management, Université du Québec à Montréal

Language: English

Topic: Labor Movements and Unions

Subfield: Public Administration

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W7129282161

FWCI: 9.065

Cites: 29

Cited by: 1

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