This policy paper seeks to examine the factors influencing the union-joining behavior of Filipino workers who consistently choose not to be union members. It also aims to determine whether non-membership in a union is a voluntary act or a result of coercion from the employers.

The findings reveal that urban workers have stronger unionization tendencies than their rural counterparts because of stronger support for unions. The workers’ propensity to join a union varies with certain socio-demographic variables like age, sex, marital status, educational attainment, and occupational history. Generally, a worker’s unionization tendency is affected by her or his perception of unions, condition of her/his work environment and utility of non-union voice mechanisms.

Peer influence and the availability of a union also figure in as main factors although among rural workers, peer influence does not appear as a significant factor. Those who desire for union coverage are more likely to become union members. There is no evidence found that would suggest that employees are forced to avoid unions. The absence of a union in the workplace, not the workers’ apathy nor their dislike for unions, accounts for the existence of unorganized workers.

The study recommends that government intensify its information drive on the merits of unions to promote unionism, improve its inspection campaign to protect unorganized workers in the private sector, and consider easing the restrictions on the registration and certification of unions.