The Persistence of Union Membership within the Coalfields of Britain

Huw Beynon, Helen Blakely, Alex Bryson and Rhys Davies
Additional contact information
Huw Beynon: Cardiff University
Helen Blakely: Cardiff University
Rhys Davies: Cardiff University

No 13615, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Spatial variance in union membership has been attributed to the favourable attitudes that persist in areas with an historical legacy of trade unionism. Within the UK, villages and towns located in areas once dominated coalmining remain among the strongest and durable bases for the trade union movement. This paper empirically examines the effect of living within or near these areas upon union membership. Those residing in ex-mining areas retain an increased propensity for union membership. However, this effect diminishes sharply with distance. The analysis reveals that particular places can serve as conduits of trade unionism, long after employment within traditional industries has vanished.

Keywords: spill-over; spatial variance; union membership; coalmining (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J50 J51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 36 pages
Date: 2020-08
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Published - published in: British Journal of Industrial Relations, 2021, 59 (4), 1131-1152

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Persistence of Union Membership within the Coalfields of Britain (2021)
Working Paper: The Persistence of Union Membership within the Coalfields of Britain (2020)
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