Uniting an Independent and Isolated Workforce: The Logger Association Phenomenon in the United States

Abstract

In the United States, recent efforts to organize loggers have grown, resulting in the formation of a number of state- and region-wide logger associations. The purpose of this study was to explore this phenomenon by examining the reasons for both the establishment of and membership in logger associations, as well as to describe the current goals of these associations. Mail surveys of both logger association representatives and the memberships of three volunteer logger associations were conducted. Primary reasons for logger association formation and membership appeared to follow those for other rural grass-roots organizations: to influence legislation through unified action, to obtain specific business-related membership benefits, and for education and training.