DO MILLENNIALS AND GENERATION X EMPLOYEES DIFFER IN THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF LABOR UNIONS IN THE UNITED STATES? AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Steven Cates
Jason Jackson
Purdue University Global

ABSTRACT

The influence of upcoming generations stands to have a significant impact on the future
of labor unions. Specifically, millennials entering the workforce have changed many aspects of the
working culture. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are significant differences
in the perceptions of the Millennial and Generation X toward six statements, concerning the labor
unions. The six statements, developed by the authors based on the literature review, include the
belief that labor unions are good for employees, preference to work in an organization that has a
labor union, confidence that dues paid to a labor union are beneficial to employees, willingness to
join the labor union if my organization has a union, feel satisfied if a “union representative”
negotiates my pay/compensations with my employer, and feel comfortable if I discuss my working
benefits with my employer. Utilizing two samples of Millennial and Generation X, the results of
this study indicated that there are zero differences and six similarities between the two groups.

Keywords: Millennials, Generation X, labor union, labor unions