Student Experiences at Work and Attitudes to Unionism: A Study of Retailing and Fast Food

View/ Open
Author(s)
Allan, Cameron
Bamber, Greg
Oliver, Damian
Year published
2006
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The paper discusses the results of a survey of students' perceptions of work in retailing and fast-food employment in Australia, with particular regard to their attitudes towards union membership. Our research question is: to what extent do management practices affect young people's views about joining a union? We find that low-cost labour management regimes are likely to increase employees' interest in joining a union. By contrast, more positive 'developmental' work regimes do not seem to be associated with worker attitudes to joining a union. Our findings have implications for employers, managers and unions.The paper discusses the results of a survey of students' perceptions of work in retailing and fast-food employment in Australia, with particular regard to their attitudes towards union membership. Our research question is: to what extent do management practices affect young people's views about joining a union? We find that low-cost labour management regimes are likely to increase employees' interest in joining a union. By contrast, more positive 'developmental' work regimes do not seem to be associated with worker attitudes to joining a union. Our findings have implications for employers, managers and unions.
View less >
View less >
Conference Title
21st Century Work - High Road or Low Road?: Proceedings of the 20th Conference of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand, Volume 1
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2006 AIRAANZ. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Use hypertext link for access to publisher's website.