Unions: Member and Leader Attitudes, Behaviors, and Political Activities - Essay Example

n leaders are some of the factors which influence the willingness of members to participate in local union-related activities (Jinadasa & Opatha, 1999). The older population is more predisposed to participate in local union activities. Where the younger population is more concerned about being employed and earning a living, older people are more concerned about job security, social security, and other benefits (Jinadasa & Opatha, 1999). Hence, they are more inclined to participate in union activities in order to ensure that they have access to job security and work benefits.

Males are also more likely to participate in union activities. Some studies have revealed that women rarely express their opinion during union meetings and rarely participate in union activities even if they are members. Many of these women are also hampered by their commitments to their career and to their family. As a result, it has become an almost expected norm to see that “most active union women are either single or, if married, they have no children or their children are grown” (British Colombia Federation of Labour, 1987).

This leads us to another factor influencing participation in local union activities – size of the family. Member-employees who have large families are more likely to not have the time to participate in union activities, and those who have smaller-sized families are also more likely to not participate in union activities. Families with smaller sizes often do not feel the need to seek better job security and benefits because they feel that they can get by without these perks. Families with larger numbers simply do not have the time to participate in union activities.

Union members with a higher level of political activism are more likely to participate in local union activities. Their sense of righteousness usually motivates them to make sure that they avail of and are awarded the proper rights and benefits that they are legally entitled to. The more