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Wage Dispersion and Unionism: Do Unions Protect Low Pay?

Carlo Dell′Aringa (Sacred Heart Catholic University, Milan, Italy)
Claudio Lucifora (Sacred Heart Catholic University, Milan, Italy)

International Journal of Manpower

ISSN: 0143-7720

Publication date: 1 February 1994

Abstract

Existing research concerning the impact of unions on relative wages provides evidence for the existence of significant union/non‐union wage differentials. However, union practices are deemed to have a more pervasive effect on the overall distribution of wages, reducing wage differentials across and within establishments. Attempts to explore union effects on wage dispersion in the context of the Italian labour market. Several indicators of wage dispersion are computed, using both industry and establishment level data, in the attempt to ascertain the different routes through which union presence affects the structure of wages. The empirical evidence shows that Italian trade unions have pursued “egalitarian” objectives and have succeeded in shaping pay policies which, through central and local negotiations, raise low wages and reduce wage differentials both among skill categories and across establishments.

Keywords

  • Collective bargaining
  • Economic conditions
  • Industrial relations
  • Italy
  • Low pay
  • Pay differentials
  • Trade unions
  • Pay
  • Employees

Citation

Dell′Aringa, C. and Lucifora, C. (1994), "Wage Dispersion and Unionism: Do Unions Protect Low Pay?", International Journal of Manpower, Vol. 15 No. 2/3, pp. 150-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437729410059413

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Publisher

:

MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 1994, MCB UP Limited

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