Is There a Fit Between Union Image and Member Attitudes

Abstract

We compare member attitudes in the Professional Association of Teachers (PAT) and the National Unions of Teachers (NUT), seen as the most “moderate” and “militant” English teacher unions, respectively. PAT members were higher in job satisfaction and both organizational and professional commitment, with NUT members higher in union citizenship behavior (UCB) and pro-union attitudes. For NUT members, pro-union beliefs had a stronger effect on union commitment, and union commitment on UCB. These findings are consistent with the images of the two unions, and with the suggestion of Bamberger, Kluger, and Suchard (1999) suggestion that the nature of the membership will moderate the antecedents of commitment and participation.