Are non-union workers different to their union colleagues? Evidence from the public services

This article analyses workers' attitudes to trade unions by comparing the survey responses of Unison members with public sector workers who have left or never joined a union. It examines whether differences between these groups can help to explain union-joining behaviour and membership patterns. The findings demonstrate that there are few differences in attitudes between Unison members, ex-unionists and never-members on the issue of 'union effectiveness'. However, ex-unionists were more reluctant to re-join unions than never-members. The evidence concludes that if public service unions are to recruit new members, they need to adopt differentiated strategies and representatives have to target ex-unionists and never-members in the workplace.