Coping with Conflict: Examining the Influence of PSM on Coping with Union–Management Conflict

Public sector unionization represents a politically contentious, yet critically important, human resources policy issue in the United States federal government. While many politicians and practitioners assume that a lack of... [ view full abstract ]

Public sector unionization represents a politically contentious, yet critically important, human resources policy issue in the United States federal government. While many politicians and practitioners assume that a lack of cooperation between organized labor and management inhibits the performance of government agencies, limited empirical research specifically examines the psychological mechanisms through which performance reductions may occur. In this study we explore the complex connection between interpersonal conflict during bargaining and union member turnover intent. We use data from the 2010 merit principles survey to evaluate how stressors associated with unionization influence work experiences. The findings we present suggest that individuals with high public service motivation experience more pronounced negative emotions when they experience conflict between unions and management, which subsequently increases their intent to separate from the organization.