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Effects of Unionization on Workplace-Safety Enforcement: Regression-Discontinuity Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Sojourner, Aaron

    (Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

  • Yang, Jooyoung

    (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

We study how union certification affects the enforcement of workplace-safety laws. To generate credible causal estimates, a regression discontinuity design compares outcomes in establishments where unions barely won representation elections to outcomes in establishments where union barely lost such elections. The study combines two main datasets: the census of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) representation elections and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) enforcement database since 1985. There is evidence of positive effects of union certification on establishment's rate of OSHA inspection, the share of inspections carried out in the presence of a labor representative, violations cited, and penalties assessed.

Suggested Citation

  • Sojourner, Aaron & Yang, Jooyoung, 2015. "Effects of Unionization on Workplace-Safety Enforcement: Regression-Discontinuity Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 9610, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9610
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Erin L Kelly & Kirsten F Siebach & Grace DeHorn & Megan Lovejoy, 2024. "The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study: Protocol for a group-randomized control trial of a participatory workplace intervention," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Danielle Lamb & Rafael Gomez & Milad Moghaddas, 2022. "Unions and hazard pay for COVID‐19: Evidence from the Canadian Labour Force Survey," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(3), pages 606-634, September.
    3. Ling Li & Shawn Rohlin & Perry Singleton, 2022. "Labor Unions and Workplace Safety," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 75(2), pages 402-426, March.
    4. Kelly, Erin L. & Siebach, Kirsten F. & DeHorn, Grace & Lovejoy, Megan, 2024. "The Fulfillment Center Intervention Study: Protocol for a group-randomized control trial of a participatory workplace intervention," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 19(7), pages 1-18.
    5. Pierre Blavier & Jérôme Pélisse, 2022. "Négocier collectivement les salaires en entreprise : quels effets de la (non-)mobilisation des salarié·es ?," Post-Print hal-03887461, HAL.
    6. Song, Yang & Yang, Jidong & Yang, Qijing, 2016. "Do firms' political connections depress the union wage effect? Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 183-198.
    7. Pierre Blavier & Jérôme Pélisse, 2022. "Négocier collectivement les salaires en entreprise : quels effets de la (non-)mobilisation des salarié·es ?," Sciences Po Economics Publications (main) hal-03887461, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J51 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining - - - Trade Unions: Objectives, Structure, and Effects
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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