PROTECTING WOMENS JOBS - UNIONS AND DEINDUSTRIALIZATION

This paper explores the impact of union membership on a group of unski lled women workers at a public university in a midwestern city. Althou gh the region has experienced high levels of unemployment in recent ye ars, women subjects have been relatively insulated from job loss. Cons istent with other research findings on the consequences of unionizatio n, interviews with 18 women indicate that their job tenure is long, te ndency to exit jobs low, and wages and benefits relatively good. Afric an-American and white women have slightly different employment histori es, however, reflecting patterns of discrimination and occupational se gregation in the work place. Regional economic change has little appar ent impact on current spouses' job holding. But their children have ha d difficulty finding secure jobs.