The dimensionality, antecedents and consequences of union commitment : a study of a civil service union.

Abstract

The study explores the dimensionality, antecedents and consequences of union commitment using a 13-item version of the Gordon, Philpot, Thomas & Spiller (1980) Union Commitment Scale. Data were gathered through a survey of members of a civil service union in eastern Canada (n = 914). The study replicates the findings of Kelloway and Catano (1990) and as such supports the construct validity of a three oblique factor structure of the Union Commitment Scale comprising Loyalty to the Union, Willingness to Work for the Union and Responsibility to the Union. A proposed model of antecedent and outcome variables of union commitment was supported. In testing the antecedent component of the model, union related variables emerged as better predictors of union commitment than either demographic or work related variables. Through further analysis, sex of the respondent emerged as a moderator in this relationship. Additionally, the data supported an outcome component in that union commitment acted as a useful predictor for strike propensity, willingness to undertake militant action and instrumentality in the form of union participation.