The Perceived Effect of Industry-level Bargaining on Union Influence and Workers’ Participation: The Case of the Philippine Media Industry

Abstract

Workers in the Philippine media industry experience decent work deficits, particularly in exercising of their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. This is associated with low union density and the limited influence of enterprise-level bargaining on the quality of work life. Using mixed methods, specifically focused group discussions, semistructured interviews, and a survey of unionized and unorganized workers in the media industry, this study examines the determinants of low union participation and collective bargaining coverage according to the three tiers defined by the Strategic Choice Theory and analyzes the advantages and challenges of industry-level bargaining in the Philippine media industry.