Union membership is becoming an increasingly female phenomenon, as there are now more women than men in trade unions. That’s according to the latest findings from the UCD Smurfit business school.

Drawing from a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 workers across the country, the research looked at the structure of union membership, attitudes towards unions, the perceived effectiveness of unions, and collective bargaining coverage.

The Working in Ireland Survey found that the growth in female participation in the labour market is matched by growing numbers of women joining trade unions.

The study also found considerable support for union representation among non-union employees, with as many as four out of every ten non-union workers saying they would vote to establish a union in their workplace.

Young workers were particularly well disposed to seeking union representation, although membership levels are currently highest among workers aged between 55 and 64.

The public sector boasts the highest concentrations of union membership.

Read the findings HERE.