This website uses cookies.

By clicking the "Accept" button or continuing to browse our site, you agree to first-party and session-only cookies being stored on your device to enhance site navigation and analyze site performance and traffic. For more information on our use of cookies, please see our Privacy Policy.

  1. Home
  2. Journals
  3. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
  4. Forthcoming Articles
  5. The Effects of Import Competition on Unionization

The Effects of Import Competition on Unionization

Abstract

We study direct and indirect effects of Chinese import competi- tion on union membership in the United States, 1990–2014. Import competition in manufacturing induced a modest decline in unionization within manufacturing industries. The magnitude is small because unionized manufacturers competed in higher-quality product segments. Manufacturers in Right-to-Work states experienced more direct competition with low-quality Chinese imports. Outside manufacturing, however, import competition causes an important increase in union membership as less-educated women shift away from retail and towards jobs in healthcare and education where unions are stronger. We calculate that Chinese imports prevented 26% of the union density decline that would have otherwise occurred.

Forthcoming Article Downloads