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

Aaron Sojourner and Jooyoung Yang ()
Additional contact information
Jooyoung Yang: University of Minnesota

No 9610, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

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.

Keywords: effects; union(s); OSHA inspections; workplace accidents; labor market institutions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 J28 J51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 53 pages
Date: 2015-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lab
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

Published - published in: ILR Review , 2022, 75 (2), 373-401.

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9610

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