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How Right-to-Work Laws Affect Wages

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  • W. Robert Reed

    (University of Oklahoma)

Abstract

I examine the wage effects of Right-To-Work (RTW). Using state-level data, I estimate that, ceteris paribus, RTW states have average wages that are significantly higher than non-RTW states. This result is robust is across a wide variety of specifications. An important distinctive of this study is that it controls for state economic conditions at the time states adopted RTW. States that adopted RTW were generally poorer than other states. Failure to control for these initial conditions may be the reason that previous studies have not identified a positive wage impact for RTW.

Suggested Citation

  • W. Robert Reed, 2005. "How Right-to-Work Laws Affect Wages," Labor and Demography 0506005, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpla:0506005
    Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 31. This paper was published in the Journal of Labor Research, Vol. 24, No. 4 (2003): 713-730.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Neumark & Michael L. Wachter, 1995. "Union Effects on Nonunion Wages: Evidence from Panel Data on Industries and Cities," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 49(1), pages 20-38, October.
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Right-to-Work Gives Michigan Workers a Choice
      by James Sherk in The Foundry on 2012-12-17 23:31:58

    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Stevans, Lonnie, 2007. "The Effect of Right-to-Work Laws on Business and Economic Conditions: A Multivariate Approach," MPRA Paper 5638, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Tessa Conroy & Steven Deller & Alexandra Tsvetkova, 2017. "Interstate Relocation Of Manufacturers And Business Climate," Review of Urban & Regional Development Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 18-45, March.
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    5. Jordan Jeffrey & Mathur Aparna & Munasib Abdul & Roy Devesh, 2021. "Did Right-To-Work Laws Impact Income Inequality? Evidence from U.S. States Using the Synthetic Control Method," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 21(1), pages 45-81, January.
    6. Gihleb, Rania & Giuntella, Osea & Tan, Jian Qi, 2023. "The Impact of Right-to-Work Laws on Long Hours and Work Schedules," IZA Discussion Papers 16588, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    7. Nguyen, Justin Hung & Qiu, Buhui, 2022. "Right-to-Work laws and corporate innovation," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    8. Stevans Lonnie K, 2009. "The Effect of Endogenous Right-to-Work Laws on Business and Economic Conditions in the United States: A Multivariate Approach," Review of Law & Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 5(1), pages 595-614, October.
    9. M. Rodwan Abouharb & Benjamin O. Fordham, 2020. "Trade and Strike Activity in the Postwar United States," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-25, October.
    10. Michael J. Hicks & Michael LaFaive & Srikant Devaraj, 2016. "New Evidence on the Effect of Right-to-Work Laws on Productivity and Population Growth," Cato Journal, Cato Journal, Cato Institute, vol. 36(1), pages 101-120, Winter.
    11. Cebula, Richard J. & Connaughton, John E. & Swartz , Caroline, 2020. "Right-to-Work Laws as Economic Freedom: Their Role in Influencing the Geographic Pattern of Manufacturing Jobs, Incomes, and Finances," American Business Review, Pompea College of Business, University of New Haven, vol. 23(2), pages 431-450, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Right-to-Work;

    JEL classification:

    • J - Labor and Demographic Economics

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