Attitudinal Militancy and Propensity to Strike Among Unionized Engineers and X-Ray Technicians

Abstract

This study examines whether attitudinal militancy and propensity to strike represent two different constructs. The study also examines the joint effects of five models, each representing a different theoretical approach, upon the two dependent variables: propensity to strike and attitudinal militancy. Unionized employees of two occupational groups in Israel, 139 engineers, and 125 X-ray technicians, are surveyed. In general, the findings show that attitudinal militancy and propensity to strike are two independent constructs. This conclusion is supported by the factor analysis findings, the intercorrelations between the items of the measures, and the results of the regression analyses indicating different patterns of effects of the research models upon attitudinal militancy and propensity to strike. The findings also demonstrate that the commitment model and union commitment in particular, is an important determinant of union militancy. Discussion of the implications of these findings and how they relate to future investigation of union militancy conclude the paper.