New Professional Identities of Women and Unionism: A Possible Compatibility?
This study examines the case of the Desjardins Group in Quebec’s financial sector. From a telephone survey of 576 unionized employees of Desjardins Group, the main results of this quantitative research highlight the reconsideration of unionization by professionals, people with weak social ties at work, and those who are dissatisfied with their salary. Conversely, unfavourable working conditions and proactive and democratic union activities reinforce union loyalty amongst women. The research framework comprises four theoretical approaches allowing us to identify key elements of the employment relationship that can affect union membership. Whilst considering materialist and instrumental approaches, the main theoretical contribution of this article is to identify a linkage between the new professional identities of women, forces of which act to erode trade unionism, and union activities, forces of which act to reinforce trade unionism. Building on current debates on the future of unionism, this article examines the ways in which unionized women identify themselves with unionism. In broaching the crisis of trade unionism through an examination of professional workforce representation in the service sector, this study aims to understand the linkages between the new professional identities of women and union membership.