The Rise and Fall of Private Sector Unionism: What Next for the Nlra?

48 Pages Posted: 29 Sep 2006 Last revised: 9 Jun 2008

See all articles by Jeffrey M. Hirsch

Jeffrey M. Hirsch

University of North Carolina School of Law

Barry T. Hirsch

IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Georgia State University

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: September 26, 2006

Abstract

In this Article, we ask whether the National Labor Relations Act, enacted over 70 years ago, can remain relevant in a competitive economy where nonunion employer discretion is the dominant form of workplace governance. The best opportunity for the NLRA's continued relevance is the modification of its language and interpretation to enhance worker voice and participation in the nonunion private sector, without imposing undue costs on employers. Examples of such reforms include narrowing the NLRA's company union prohibition; implementing a conditional deregulation system that relies on consent by an independent employee association; changing the labor law default to some form of a nonunion work group; expanding state and local authority over labor relations; and encouraging NLRA protection for employee use of employer-owned Internet services. These legal innovations have the potential to be welfare enhancing, as compared to outcomes likely to evolve under the current legal framework. Although the political likelihood of such changes is currently low, steps in this direction could result in an increased relevance for the NLRA in the modern economy.

Keywords: Labor, Unions, Economics

JEL Classification: J5

Suggested Citation

Hirsch, Jeffrey M. and Hirsch, Barry T. and Hirsch, Barry T., The Rise and Fall of Private Sector Unionism: What Next for the Nlra? (September 26, 2006). Florida State University Law Review, Vol. 34, No. 4, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=933493

Jeffrey M. Hirsch (Contact Author)

University of North Carolina School of Law ( email )

Van Hecke-Wettach Hall, 160 Ridge Road
CB #3380
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3380
United States
919-962-7675 (Phone)

Barry T. Hirsch

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Georgia State University ( email )

Department of Economics
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Atlanta, GA 30302-3992
United States
404-413-0880 (Phone)
404-413-0145 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://unionstats.gsu.edu/bhirsch

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