A survey of firms in your local labor market reveals that the average hourly wage rate of...
Question:
A survey of firms in your local labor market reveals that the average hourly wage rate of unionized production workers is $1.50 higher than the average wage rate of nonunion production workers. Does this indicate that unionization increases the wage rates of workers in your area by $1.50? Why or why not?
Unionization:
Unionization refers to the grouping of workers together to form a trade union. The labor unions play an essential role in giving workers some power to negotiate their wages and other benefits through collective bargaining power.
Answer and Explanation: 1
Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer! Create your account
View this answerSuppose a survey in your local area reveals that the average hourly wage of unionized workers is $1.50 higher than the of nonunionized workers. This...
See full answer below.
Ask a question
Our experts can answer your tough homework and study questions.
Ask a question Ask a questionSearch Answers
Learn more about this topic:

from
Chapter 7 / Lesson 5Wage and wage incentive programs are integral parts of union contracts. Discover incentive programs such as profit sharing and gain sharing, as well as wage programs such as the two-tier pay plan and wage adjustments.
Related to this Question
- Refer to the given data. Suppose that the union that provides labor to firms in this market successfully negotiates an increase in the wage rate from $8 to $10. As a result of the wage increase, firms will hire: a. fewer workers, and the total paid out fo
- Labor unions are some of the strongest proponents of the minimum wage. Yet in 2008, the median full-time union member earned $886 per week, an average of more than $22 per hour. Therefore, a rise in the minimum wage doesn't directly raise the wages of man
- BigBiz, a local monopsonist, currently hires 50 workers and pays them $6 per hour. To attract an additional worker to its labor force, BigBiz would have to raise the wage rate to $6.25 per hour. What is BigBiz's marginal factor cost? a. $6.25 per hour.
- A factory employing labor as a variable input is unionized. The new union-wage contract increases hourly wages by 20 percent. If there's no shift in the average product of labor curve after the union contract takes effect, the average variable cost curve
- Evidence in support of the hypothesis that unions increase the productivity of union workers is A - that unionized firms face lower turnover rates than nonunion firms do. B - there is an excess supply of labor at the union wage rate. C - the fact that
- Union A wants to represent workers in a firm that would hire 25,000 workers if the wage rate is $11 and would hire 12,000 workers if the wage rate is $15. Union B wants to represent workers in a firm
- Union A wants to represent workers in a firm that would hire 20,000 workers if the wage rate is $12 and would hire 10,000 workers if the wage rate is $15. Union B wants to represent workers in a firm
- Between two unionized firms, one would expect workers to receive higher wages in a firm a. that has workers with low education levels. b. that can relocate the production process easily. c. that can substitute labor with capital easily. d. where the t
- Suppose a union successfully negotiates a wage rate for its members that is above the competitive wage rate, then A - the union must find a way to ration jobs among the excessive number of workers who wish to work at the negotiated wage. B - employment
- An economy contains unionized and non-unionized employers. Workers can move back and forth between unionized and non-unionized firms. Suppose unions use their monopoly power to raise the wage paid to
- Unionized workers may be able to negotiate with management for higher wages during periods of economic prosperity. Suppose that workers at automobile assembly plants successfully negotiate a significant increase in their wage package. How would the new wa
- Union A finds that a wage of $4 per hour leads to demand for 20,000 person-hours and a wage of $5 per hour leads to demand for 10,000 person-hours. Union B finds that a wage of $6 per hour leads to demand for 30,000 person-hours, while a wage of $5 per ho
- The market supply curve for labor is upward-sloping because: a. as the wage rises, most workers want to work fewer hours. b. as the wage falls, most workers want to work more hours. c. as the wage rises, most workers are willing to work more hours. d. for
- When there is a firm with a monopsony in the labor market, which of the following occurs? A. More workers will be hired at higher wages. B. Fewer workers will be hired at higher wages. C. Fewer workers will be hired at lower wages.
- Many unions attempt to raise the hourly wages, received by their members, by restricting the supply of workers, firms can hire from. Assuming the demand for workers, who belong to these unions, is ine
- If unions become too powerful, they can reduce wages in an economy by: a. competing among themselves for workers. b. causing inflation rates to rise too quickly. c. widening the gap between the wages of unionized and non-unionized workers. d. shutting dow
- If unions are successful in negotiating a wage higher than the market equilibrium wage, and also guarantee employers that they can hire as many labor hours as they desire per week at the union wage, a) all workers who join the union will be guaranteed a j
- If a union is unable to increase the demand for its workers, then success at raising the wage rate paid its members means that: a) some union members will lose their jobs. b) all union members receive a higher wage. c) more union members will be hired. d)
- In the labor market, the demand and supply model predicts that unions could raise the pay of unionized labor but reduce the pay of non union labor. Explain why and demonstrate your point with a demand
- Part of the U.S. labor market is competitive and the remaining market is characterized by monopsony and labor unions. Define monopsony and labor unions and explain how the wage rate is determined in each of these labor markets.
- When the wage rate is $25 dollars per hour, Union A's quantity of labor demanded is 4,000, Union B's is 5,000, and Union C's is 7,000. When the wage rate increases to $30 per hour, Union A's quantity of labor demanded is 3,000, Union B's is 3,000, and Uni
- How could a collectively-bargained higher wage rate in the unionized sector of the economy lead to a lower wage rate in the non-unionized sector of the economy?
- When Union causes wages to rise above the equilibrium wage: a. a surplus of labor results b. a shortage of labor results c. the demand for labor rises d. the demand for labor falls
- A labor union introduced in a perfectly competitive labor market causes: a. higher earnings b. lower earnings c. no change in earnings d. more workers being hired e. no change in the number of workers hired
- The theory of efficiency wages suggests that firms may pay above-equilibrium wages a. to reduce employee turnover. b. to prevent unions from recruiting members. c. to increase the demand for better-sk
- If unions succeed at restricting the supply of labor in any one area of the economy, wages in that sector will increase.
- The equilibrium wage rate is determined by: a. individuals but not firms. b. market labor supply and market labor demand. c. labor unions. d. firms but not individuals.
- The following table gives the demand for labor at two different firms. The current wage rate in both firms is $7 per hour. A union would like to organize employees in one of the firms and bargain to raise the wage rate to $8 per hour. Calculate the wage e
- The wage for workers in a competitive wages is initially $6 and rent, the cost of capital (also rented in a competitive market), is initially $8. Now suppose that wages increase to $8 and rents increa
- Featherbedding allows unions to increase wages by a. limiting the supply of labor. b. increasing firms' demand for labor. c. forcing firms to accept higher-than-equilibrium wages. d. reducing labor share of payroll taxes.
- According to the economic theory of labour markets, if unions are successful in raising wages, with no accompanying increase in labour productivity, then which of the following is true? a. The quantity of labor demanded by profit-maximizing firms will dec
- Why might firms pay wages that are above the equilibrium wage in a market? A. to increase the productivity of their workers B. to reduce the unemployment rate C. to encourage workers to form labor unions D. to reduce profit
- Why might some firms voluntarily pay workers a wage above the market equilibrium, even in the presence of surplus labor? Check all the apply. a) Paying higher wages tens to reduce the average experie
- In some industries, the labor productivity of union workers exceeds the labor productivity of nonunion workers. Which of the following might help explain the higher productivity of union workers? Select all that apply. A) Higher union wage rates allow com
- Some researchers have suggested that unions foster teamwork by negotiating for seniority based wage and promotion schedules. They further argue that this is good for the economy in that it raises productivity. Comment on why this is or is not a good argum
- Clerical workers form a union that successfully raises their members' wages. What happens to the short-run average total cost curve and the long-run average cost curve of a firm that hires clerical workers? What happens to the firm's marginal costs?
- Workers make the supply decisions in labor markets, but firms (represented by hiring managers) make the demand decisions. Will firms want to hire more workers or fewer workers when the wage rate rises? Explain your answer.
- Suppose the average salary for a group of unionized workers is $54,000 and comparable non-unionized workers earn $45,000. Suppose that in the absence of a union, workers would earn $48,000. a. Calculate the wage differential hat(d) (observed relative wag
- Suppose that a car factory initially hires 1,200 workers at $50 per hour and that each worker works 40 hours per week. Then the factory unionizes, and the new union demands that wages be raised by 20 percent. The firm accedes to that request is collective
- A case study of wages in the United States from 1983 to 2006 shows: A. a decrease in white-collar wages due to offshoring B. a relative increase in skilled worker wages (non-production) compared with less-skilled wages (production) C. a decrease in employ
- A monopsonist faces a market labor supply curve w=20+L where w is wage rate and L is the number of workers employed. If the firm's labor demand curve is w=200-4L, what is the optimal wage rate and qu
- Suppose that a car factory initially hires 1,400 workers at $40 per hour and that each worker works 40 hours per week. Then the factory unionizes, and the new union demands that wages be raised by 10
- Using market supply and demand analysis, explain why labor union leaders are strong advocates of raising the minimum wage above the equilibrium wage.
- Workers are likely to have more bargaining power to negotiate higher wages with employers if: a. there is an excess supply of labor. b. they are more skilled. c. they do not belong to a trade union. d. there is unlimited substitution of capital for labor.
- In a competitive labor market, the equilibrium wage rate and the number of workers employed are determined by labor supply and labor demand. Firms maximize profit where the MRP=MRC, hence hiring of la
- The basic trade-off that unions make when negotiating wages is the trade-off between: A. higher wages and fewer jobs. B. higher wages and safer working conditions. C. shorter hours and fewer jobs. D. higher wages and shorter hours.
- In a labor market dominated by a monopsonist, wages and employment are usually lower than in a competitive labor market. This is because a monopsonist A. employs workers up to the point where the marginal revenue product of labor is equal to the wage rate
- If a union is able to organize workers in a competitive labor market but the union cannot affect the demand for its members' labor, then the wage rate ...... and the quantity of labor hired ........
- Consider an economy with two labor markets: one for manufacturing workers and one for service workers. Suppose initially that neither is unionized. a. If manufacturing workers formed a union, what impact would you predict on the wages and employment in ma
- Consider an economy with two labor markets one for manufacturing workers and one for service workers. Suppose initially that neither is unionized. a. If manufacturing workers formed a union, what impact would you predict on the wages and employment in man
- Featherbedding allows unions to increase wages by doing which of the following? a. limiting the supply of labor b. increasing firms' demand for labor c. forcing firms to accept higher-than-equilibrium wages d. reducing labor share of payroll taxes
- If a union demands and wins a wage increase in an unionized company, what are the chances (based on economical analysis) there will be a total wage bill increase?
- Assuming an open shop, if the goal of the union is to maximize the union membership, it would seek: A) The wage rate where the membership function equals the demand for labor, assuming no preferential hiring B) The wage rate where the marginal wage cost
- Which of the following describes a way in which unions can reduce wages? a. Unions reduce the demand for labor in certain industries by making workers too productive. b. Workers kept out of unionized jobs to move to other industries, increasing the labor
- According to the theory of efficiency wages: a. firms may find it profitable to pay above-equilibrium wages. b. sectoral shifts are the main source of frictional unemployment. c. right-to-work laws reduce the bargaining power of unions. d. an excess suppl
- 1. A single union firm in a competitive industry otherwise comprised of nonunion firms: a. will make economic losses if it pays a wage rate above its competitors b. will pay a higher union wage adva
- How much would labor costs increase for the average employer if the Federal minimum wage were increased from $7.25 to $15.00 per hour?
- Efficiency-wage theories suggest that a firm may pay workers more than the market-clearing wage for all of the following reasons except to: a) Reduce labor turnover, b) Improve the quality of the firm's labor force, c) Increase worker effort, d) Reduce th
- Why might some firms voluntarily pay workers a wage above the market equilibrium? I. Paying higher wages causes worker turnover to increase. II. Paying higher wages increases the number of job applicants. III. Paying higher wages allows employees to purch
- At a current wage rate less than the market equilibrium wage rate: a. Firms wish to hire fewer units of labor than workers desire to provide, b. There is a surplus of workers, or unemployment, c. There is a shortage of labor, d. Workers are willing to
- In the market for cars, the trade union has succefully negotiated a 20% increase in wages for workers in this sector. With the aid of a well labelled diagram, explain the effect of the wage increase (ceteris paribus) on the supply of cars.
- In the market for cars, the trade union has successfully negotiated a 20% increase in wages for workers in this sector. With the aid of a well labelled diagram, explain the effect of the wage increase (ceteris paribus) on the supply of cars. In 1 above, w
- Suppose that garbage collectors and landscaping workers have no unions. Now suppose that garbage collectors form unions. What does this do to the labor supply and wages of landscaping workers? a. Both labor supply and wages increase. b. Labor supply incre
- Low-skilled workers operate in a competitive market. The labor supply is Qs = 10W (where W is the price of labor measured by the hourly wage) and the demand for labor is Qd = 240 - 20W . Q m
- The equilibrium wage and quantity of labor in the market for workers is determined by: a. the monopsony power of firms b. the strength of labor unions c. the supply and demand of labor d. the market value created by the output of these workers
- The New York Times cost $0.15 in 1970 and $2.00 in 2011. The average wage in manufacturing was $3.36 per hour in 1970 and $23.09 in 2011. a. By what percentage did the price of a newspaper rise? b. By what percentage did the wage rise? c. In each year,
- The New York Times cost $0.15 in 1970 and $2.00 in 2011. The average wage in manufacturing was $3.36 per hour in 1970 and $23.09 in 2011. a. By what percentage did the price of a newspaper rise? b. By what percentage did the wage rise? c. In each year, ho
- A monopsonist faces a labor supply curve given by L_S = -300 + 0.01W, where W is the annual salary. a. What is the lowest salary the firm can pay yet still induce one worker to want to work for the firm? What is the lowest salary the firm must pay to ind
- Do labor unions get in the way of "free market" wages?
- If workers in an industry become less productive due to low employee morale, we would expect the: a. demand for workers to decrease. b. wages in the industry to increase. c. supply of workers to increase. d. demand for workers to increase.
- Suppose an economy with two labor markets one for manufacturing workers and one for service workers. Suppose initially that neither is unionized. a. If manufacturing workers formed a union, what impact would you predict on the wages and employment in man
- Which of the following might help explain the higher productivity of union workers? A. Higher union wage rates allow companies to attract more highly skilled workers. B. Unions are always more efficient than firms at discerning which workers are highly
- According to the economic theory of labor markets, if unions are successful in raising wages, with no accompanying increase in labor productivity, then which of the following is true? a. The quantity of labor demanded by profit-maximizing firms will decli
- How could a collectively bargained higher wage rate in the unionized sector of the economy lead to a lower wage rate in the nonunionized sector of the economy?
- If the average salary for unionized professors is $60,000 and the average for a professor who is not represented by a union is $75,000, can it be concluded that the unionization causes professor earnings to be lower?
- Consider the graph at right for a monopsonistic labor market. The competitive wage is $750.00 and the competitive labor use is 250.00 workers. In a monopsonistic labor market, the amount of labor used will be 166.7 workers and the wage will be $ _________
- Consider how a decrease in wage will change a workers labor supply. Make two clearly labeled diagrams showing how reducing a worker's wage affects the hours s/he is willing to work: one in which the i
- A union can raise wages by: A) increasing the demand for labor B) reducing the supply of labor C) promoting a smoother labor market D) demanding better working conditions
- In a competitive labor market, if the supply of labor decreases, how will the equilibrium wage rate and employment change? a) Wage Rate: Increase; Employment: Increase b) Wage Rate: Increase; Employment: Decrease c) Wage Rate: Decrease; Employment: Increa
- [{Blank}] argues that the productivity of workers will increase if they are paid more, and so employers will often find it worthwhile to pay their employees somewhat more than market conditions might dictate. a. Efficiency wage theory, b. Equilibrium wage
- By paying efficiency wages, firms contribute to higher unemployment because they: a) Increase the wage bill, b) Make workers more productive, c) Keep the wage below the equilibrium level, d) Keep the wage above the equilibrium level.
- Suppose the level of unionization of American workers increases which leads to higher pay, would that shift the aggregate demand curve or aggregate supply curve or both?
- Suppose workers and firms expect the overall price level to increase by 5%. Given this information, we would expect that a. the nominal wage will increase by exactly 5%. b. the nominal wage will increase by less than 5%. c. the real wage will increase by
- Suppose that labor demand is completely inelastic and labor supply is upward sloping. The market wage is $10/hour. The government now imposes a per hour tax on firms of $2 an hour. After the tax is imposed, the new market wage will be: (a) 10 (b) 8 (c) gr
- Suppose the wage rates of workers are based on the expected price level. If there is an unexpected increase in AD, it will cause the actual price level to increase. Then workers should raise their expected price level and negotiate a higher wage rate. The
- According to the shirking? model, an efficiency wage increases worker productivity because A. the wage is high enough above the market wage to eliminate shirking. B. it gives workers an incentive to r
- According to the table below, what is the competitive wage rate, what wage will the union seek, and how many workers will the union have to exclude in order to get that wage?
- 1. A firm should continue to hire more workers as long as wages are low? Do you agree or disagree? Why? 2. A union could raise wages without causing unemployment of union members, if it can increase d
- The average wage of a manufacturing worker in the U.S. is about $18 per hour. The average manufacturing wage in Mexico is about $2 per hour. Would a firm that wants to increase its production with facilities in both the U.S. and Mexico ever increase its u
- If an industry's demand curve for labor indicates that a change in wages will result in a very small change in the quantity demanded of labor, we would expect: a. the demand curve for the industry's output to be inelastic. b. a union supply of labor cur
- If the wage falls, firms will hire workers because. a. fewer; more workers will have a wage that exceeds the product price b. more; fewer workers will have a wage that exceeds the product price c. fewer; fewer workers will have a marginal product of labor
- If a firm decided to pay less than the going market wage rate, a) their competitors would raise the wage. b) only the newest, unproductive workers would apply. c) no workers would offer their services
- Suppose workers and firms expect the overall price level to increase by 4%. Given this information, we would expect that? A) the real wage will decrease by 4%. B) the real wage will increase by 4%. C) the nominal wage will increase by less than 4%. D)
- 1. In the presence of unions, efficient contracts are expected to result in the hiring of _____ workers than would be hired under the labor demand curve at a given wage. A. more B. fewer C. the sam
- Using a diagram of the labor market, show the effect of an increase in the minimum wage on the wage paid to workers, the number of workers supplied, the number of workers demanded, and the amount of unemployment.
- Minimum Wages and Unions a. Assume an industry without legal minimum wages and unions. Show in a diagram how the equilibrium wage W* is determined, and briefly explain all the concepts in the diagram
- Why might some firms voluntarily pay workers a wage above the market equilibrium, even in the presence of surplus labor? Check all that apply. - Paying higher wages increases worker turnover. - Payi