Periodic Reporting for period 1 - UHealth (Trade Unions and Workers’ Health)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2026-06-30
Context and Objectives
UHealth examines how trade unions influence workers' health across multiple dimensions, including physical health, mental wellbeing, and health inequalities. While employment is recognized as a key determinant of population health, the specific role of collective bargaining and union representation remains understudied. This project aims to provide robust evidence on whether and how unions impact health outcomes through direct mechanisms (e.g. workplace safety committees) and indirect pathways (e.g. job quality, pay equity, and precarious work).
Research Approach
The study employs a mixed-methods design across three work packages:
(1) Longitudinal Analysis of UK Birth Cohorts: Uses data from the 1946, 1958, and 1970 British birth cohorts to assess how union membership and workplace union presence correlate with health changes over time.
Examines multiple health indicators, including self-reported health, mental wellbeing (GHQ scores), and chronic conditions.
(2) Cross-National Comparison of Panel Data: Compares five countries (Germany, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the U.S.) using harmonised surveys to analyse how unionization affects health.
Focuses on differences in collective bargaining structures and their associations with health outcomes.
(3) Qualitative Sectoral Case Studies: Investigates the cleaning and freight transport sectors in Belgium and the UK to understand how unions negotiate health protections in practice.
Includes interviews with workers, union representatives, and employers to map negotiation processes.
Scientific and Policy Relevance
The project addresses critical gaps in existing research, which has either relied on simplistic union membership metrics or overlooked causal mechanisms. By integrating longitudinal, comparative, and qualitative methods, UHealth will clarify whether unions have a causal effect on health and Identify which bargaining levels (company, sector, or national) most effectively protect workers. Inform policies aimed at reducing health inequalities linked to labor market conditions.
Expected Impact
Findings will be relevant for researchers, policymakers, and labor organizations seeking evidence-based strategies to improve workers' health through collective negotiation. The project also contributes to post-pandemic discussions on workplace safety, flexible work arrangements, and job security.
This project has been early terminated and transferred to a UK research institution via UKRI. No expenses were incurred.
UHealth examines how trade unions influence workers' health across multiple dimensions, including physical health, mental wellbeing, and health inequalities. While employment is recognized as a key determinant of population health, the specific role of collective bargaining and union representation remains understudied. This project aims to provide robust evidence on whether and how unions impact health outcomes through direct mechanisms (e.g. workplace safety committees) and indirect pathways (e.g. job quality, pay equity, and precarious work).
Research Approach
The study employs a mixed-methods design across three work packages:
(1) Longitudinal Analysis of UK Birth Cohorts: Uses data from the 1946, 1958, and 1970 British birth cohorts to assess how union membership and workplace union presence correlate with health changes over time.
Examines multiple health indicators, including self-reported health, mental wellbeing (GHQ scores), and chronic conditions.
(2) Cross-National Comparison of Panel Data: Compares five countries (Germany, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the U.S.) using harmonised surveys to analyse how unionization affects health.
Focuses on differences in collective bargaining structures and their associations with health outcomes.
(3) Qualitative Sectoral Case Studies: Investigates the cleaning and freight transport sectors in Belgium and the UK to understand how unions negotiate health protections in practice.
Includes interviews with workers, union representatives, and employers to map negotiation processes.
Scientific and Policy Relevance
The project addresses critical gaps in existing research, which has either relied on simplistic union membership metrics or overlooked causal mechanisms. By integrating longitudinal, comparative, and qualitative methods, UHealth will clarify whether unions have a causal effect on health and Identify which bargaining levels (company, sector, or national) most effectively protect workers. Inform policies aimed at reducing health inequalities linked to labor market conditions.
Expected Impact
Findings will be relevant for researchers, policymakers, and labor organizations seeking evidence-based strategies to improve workers' health through collective negotiation. The project also contributes to post-pandemic discussions on workplace safety, flexible work arrangements, and job security.
This project has been early terminated and transferred to a UK research institution via UKRI. No expenses were incurred.
Project Execution and Termination
The ERC-funded UHealth grant was terminated and transferred to the UK via the UKRI guarantee scheme, as the UK was no longer participating in ERC programs when the grant was awarded. The Principal Investigator successfully secured the UK-based position and managed the grant transfer process.
Scientific Work Performed
During the project period, the PI focused on initiating Work Package 2 (cross-national longitudinal comparison) by applying for access to the required panel datasets. Additionally, two peer-reviewed papers were published under this project:
(1) Wels, J. (2024). Trade Unions as Public Health Actors. The Lancet (correspondence), 23-06419.
(2) Kromydas, T., Demou, E., Leyland, A. H., Srinivasa Katikireddi, V., & Wels, J. (2023). *Did trade unions protect employees’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic? A mixed effect model using UK data from Understanding Society.* BMJ Public Health. (Accepted for publication).
This project was early terminated and transferred to a UK research institution via UKRI. No expenses were incurred.`
The ERC-funded UHealth grant was terminated and transferred to the UK via the UKRI guarantee scheme, as the UK was no longer participating in ERC programs when the grant was awarded. The Principal Investigator successfully secured the UK-based position and managed the grant transfer process.
Scientific Work Performed
During the project period, the PI focused on initiating Work Package 2 (cross-national longitudinal comparison) by applying for access to the required panel datasets. Additionally, two peer-reviewed papers were published under this project:
(1) Wels, J. (2024). Trade Unions as Public Health Actors. The Lancet (correspondence), 23-06419.
(2) Kromydas, T., Demou, E., Leyland, A. H., Srinivasa Katikireddi, V., & Wels, J. (2023). *Did trade unions protect employees’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic? A mixed effect model using UK data from Understanding Society.* BMJ Public Health. (Accepted for publication).
This project was early terminated and transferred to a UK research institution via UKRI. No expenses were incurred.`
The ERC-funded UHealth grant was terminated and transferred to the UK via the UKRI guarantee scheme, as the UK was no longer participating in ERC programs when the grant was awarded. The Principal Investigator successfully secured the UK-based position and managed the grant transfer process.