Did trade unions protect employees’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic? A mixed effects model using UK data from Understanding Society

TL;DR

This study explores whether trade unions helped protect workers' mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the UK.

Contribution

It is one of the first studies to examine the mental health impact of trade union presence and membership during the pandemic.

Findings

Trade union presence was associated with modest protection against mental health risks during the pandemic.

Union membership further reduced the negative mental health effects of the pandemic in unionized workplaces.

Industry differences suggest the protective effects of unions may vary across sectors.

Abstract

Few studies have addressed the relationship between trade unions and workers’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We analysed panel data from Understanding Society collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (49 915 observations; 5988 respondents) to assess the relationship between union presence within the workplace and union membership and a binary measure of common mental disorders (CMD), the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (>4, probable psychological distress). A mixed-effect log-linear model assessed effect heterogeneity across time and industries, with average marginal effects (AME) indicating effect differences between groups.

Of our sample, 49.1% worked in a unionised workplace, with 53.8% of them being union members. Approximately 25% of the entire workforce was trade union members. Psychological distress prevalence was higher during the pandemic (25.4%) compared with prepandemic (18.4%). Union presence ((AMEpre-pandemic: 1.0, 95% CI−0.66 to 2.70) (AME-pandemic: −0.2, 95% CI−1.91 to 1.58)) and union membership ((AMEpre-pandemic: 1.6, 95% CI −0.69 to 3.93) (AMEpandemic: −0.1, 95% CI −2.29 to 2.00)) were both associated with modest protection against CMD risk. Although, industry heterogeneity exists.

Trade union presence may have a protective effect on workers’ mental health in periods of crisis, such as during a pandemic. Within unionised workplaces, trade union membership further mitigated the negative effects of the pandemic on mental health. Collective negotiation may be protective in periods of uncertainty, benefiting all workers.

Figures