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.