LABOR-LAW, ECONOMICS, AND INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY - A RECONCILIATION

This article analyzes the competing economic and industrial democracy/voice views of unionism. It points out that the economic arguments vis-a-vis unionism and the costs of union rent seeking depend on competitive markets. If markets vary in their competitive characteristics, however, and employers also have an incentive to rent-seek, then decentralized, NLRA-type unionism with minimal government interference in establishing bargaining outcomes may serve to restore competitive wages. The article concludes by evaluating some proposals to amend the NLRA in the context of this ''symmetry of motives'' framework.