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The effects of union membership on absence from work due to illness

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Abstract

A simple model of the effects of unionization on absenteeism due to illness is developed and tested. It is argued that unions lower absenteeism through providing a monopoly wage, but raise it by providing liberal sick-leave benefits. Data from the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics are used to test the model. In regressions which control for human capital and demographic characteristics as well as working conditions, it is found that the net effect of unionization is to encourage absence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Jose State University, USA

    J. Paul Leigh

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  1. J. Paul Leigh
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Leigh, J.P. The effects of union membership on absence from work due to illness. Journal of Labor Research 2, 329–336 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685291

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685291

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