THE IMPACT OF TRADE-UNION MEMBERSHIP ON TRAINING IN BRITAIN

In order to measure the union/non-union training differential in Britain, a recursive model of training participation and union membership is estimated, using data taken from the 1989 Labour Force Survey. The results show a positive and significant effect of union membership on training participation in small establishments. This is consistent with the hypothesis that any negative impact on employer-provided training that might have arisen from the union wage mark-up is outweighed by a positive influence exerted by unions through the exercise of collective voice and/or reductions in labour turnover. By contrast, in establishments with 25 or more workers unions have no significant impact on training.