SECOND HAND VIEWS? YOUNG PEOPLE, SOCIAL NETWORKS AND POSITIVE UNION ATTITUDES

Abstract

Researchers have demonstrated that young people's union attitudes and joining is influenced by a range of workplace and job factors but little is known about what factors influence young people's union attitudes after leaving high school but prior to starting a career. Based on social learning theory, this paper explores the role of social networks as contributors to young people's positive union attitudes. Using data from 445 university students, the results show family, study major and friends' union attitudes have a positive impact on young peoples' union attitudes, which in turn predict willingness to join a union. We conclude the paper with a discussion of study findings for theories of union joining behaviour and union recruitment campaigns.