This study examined the effects of bilingualism on willingness to participate in union activities. Surveys were completed by bilingual Hispanic members (n = 48), monolingual (Spanish-only) Hispanic members (n = 25), and monolingual (English-only) White and Black members (n = 215, n = 61, respectively) from a local union representing semiskilled workers. The concept of second-culture competence from biculturalism theory was used to explain the influence of bilingualism on willingness to participate. In contrast with White and Black members, bilingual Hispanic members were more willing to participate, whereas monolingual Hispanic members were less willing to participate. Implications for union policy on enhancing participation among Hispanic members are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aiken, L.S., & West, S.G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
2.
Bain, L. (2002). ESL@Work: Breaking the language barrier. Retrieved February 1, 2002, from http://www.ontherail.com/issues/issues_borderlines/bain/index/asp
3.
Barling, J., Fullagar, C., & Kelloway, E.K. (1992). The union and its members: A psychological approach. New York: Oxford University Press.
4.
Benson, J.E. (1989). Individual differences and work attitudes. Journal of Collective Negotiations in the Public Sector, 18, 289-300.
5.
Birman, D. (1998). Biculturalism and perceived competence of Latino immigrant adolescents. American Journal of Community Psychology, 26, 335-354.
6.
Bulger, C.A., & Mellor, S. (1997). Self-efficacy as a mediator of the relationship between perceived union barriers and women’s participation in union activities. Journal of Applied Psychology, 82, 935-944.
7.
Defreitas, G. (1993). Unionization among racial and ethnic minorities. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 46, 284-322.
8.
Donovan, R., Kurzman, P.A., & Rotman, C. (1993). Improving the lives of home care workers: A partnership of social work and labor. Social Work, 38, 579-585.
9.
Employment outlook 1996-2006: A summary of BLS projections (Bulletin No. 2502). (1998, February). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10.
Fullagar, C., & Barling, J. (1989). A longitudinal test of a model of antecedents and consequences of union loyalty. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74, 213-227.
11.
Fuller, J.B., Jr., & Hester, K. (2001). A closer look at the relationship between justice perceptions and union participation. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 1096-1105.
12.
Goldberg, M.J. (1995). Top officers of local unions. Labor Studies Journal, 19, 1-23.
13.
Hoyman, M.M., & Stallworth, L. (1987). Participation in local unions: A comparison of Black and White members. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 40, 323-335.
14.
Kelloway, E.K., & Barling, J. (1993). Members’ participation in local union activities: Measurement, prediction, and replication. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 262-279.
15.
LaFromboise, T., Coleman, H.L.K., & Gerton, J. (1993). Psychological impact of biculturalism: Evidence and theory. Psychological Bulletin, 114, 395-412.
16.
Melcher, D., Eichstedt, J.L., Eriksen, S., & Clawson, D. (1992). Women’s participation in local union leadership: The Massachusetts experience. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 45, 267-280.
17.
Modibo, N. (1997, August). Hurdles to overcome: Immigrant women in the peripheral sector. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Toronto, Canada.
18.
Podsakoff, P.M., Mackenzie, S.B., Paine, J.B., & Bachrach, D.G. (2000). Organizational citizenship behaviors: A critical review of the theoretical and empirical literature and suggestions for future research. Journal of Management, 26, 513-563.
19.
Ramirez, M., III. (1984). Assessing and understanding biculturalism—Multiculturalism in Mexican-American adults. In J.L. Martinez & R.H. Mendoza (Eds.), Chicano psychology (pp. 77-94). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
Roffman, M.H. (1980-1981). Cultural factors in the union activity of women in Hawaii. Social Process in Hawaii, 28, 73-87.
22.
Roosevelt, M. (2001, January 22). Illegal but fighting for rights. Time, pp. 68-70.
23.
Saville-Troike, M. (1981). The development of bilingual and bicultural competence in your children. Urbana, IL: Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service NO. ED 206 376)
24.
Schutt, R.K. (1982). Models of militancy: Support for strikes and work actions among public employees. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 35, 406-422.
25.
Shore, L.M., Tetrick, L.E., Sinclair, R.R., & Newton, L.A. (1994). Validation of a measure of perceived union support. Journal of Applied Psychology, 79, 971-977.
26.
Silverblatt, R., & Amann, R.J. (1991). Race, ethnicity, union attitudes, and voting predilections. Industrial Relations, 30, 271-285.
27.
Soldatenko, M.A. (1991). Organizing Latina garment workers in Los Angeles. Aztlan, 20, 73-96.
