Using a random sample of 1,475 nonexempt workers, we explore the potential spillover effects of demographic dissimilarity on two key elements of members’ union attachment, namely, union commitment and instrumentality. Consistent with similarity-attraction theory, our findings indicate that gender dissimilarity has a significant negative effect on union attachment. However, inconsistent with the findings of earlier studies focusing on dissimilarity and organizational attachment, our results indicate that increased dissimilarity alongother demographic dimensions may actually be associated with somewhat higher levels of union attachment, and that the effects of dissimilarity are not necessarily asymmetrical for majority and minority members of work groups.
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