This study provides explanations on the existence on non-union employment relations in the Philippine industrial relations system.  Specifically, it examines the factors influencing the union-joining and the patterns of behavior of Filipino workers who are observed to consistently choose not to be union members.  It further looks into the pattern of union-joining behaviors of workers in selected companies in NCR and Ilocos Sur.

Results of the study cite that no evidence was found linking management’s anti-union stance (or the employee’s perception of such) as ever a factor that determines a worker’s propensity to unionize.  Neither do the other factors offered as possible correlates of union-joining behavior, such as selected firm characteristics of the respondents, exposure factors and perceptions about external environmental variables.  Furthermore, the propensity to unionize is not affected by the workers’ monthly salary, neither by additional tasks. 

The study concludes that the act of joining and not joining a union is a voluntary and conscious choice of the employee, even if there is a significant relationship between worker propensity to unionize and a worker’s unionization status. 

Among the recommendations espoused by the study is for government to intensify its information drive on the merits of unions, add vigor to the inspection campaign to protect unorganized workers, and ease the restrictions on the registration and certification of unions.  Unions are, likewise, asked to be more aggressive in their organizing efforts.