The relationship between union membership and workers’ well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The decreasing trade union membership experienced in most European countries in the past two decades can have negative effects on working conditions. Some of the most important dimensions along which this potential negative effect can be observed are those of workers’ health and subjective well-being. A systematic examination of empirical studies on the association between union membership and individual workers’ health, and life and job satisfaction can complement previous systematic studies focusing on the association between unionisation levels and average workers’ well-being. A systematic review of this literature – featuring both a meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis – indicates: (i) a lack of studies on the topic in the context of European countries; and (ii) the existence of a positive and significant relationship between union membership and individuals’ well-being, in both centralised and decentralised systems. Moreover, it emerges that union membership is a protective factor for health outcomes.