4 ms·

> unionized labor which is possibly the slowest construction workforce in existence. Any references for this statement? I have quite a few union friends who b

• ghshephard 16y ago
  One reference indicating greater speed for union labor (typically higher skilled, but more expensive per hour): http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-232X.1988.tb01003.x/abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-232X.1988.... Reference: "This study examines the impact of unions on efficiency in retail construction in the late seventies. Square footage put in place per hour is 51 per cent greater for union than nonunion contractors. The study finds no difference in mean cost per square foot and offers mixed econometric evidence on Tran slog cost functions. There is also no difference in profit rates or prices between union and nonunion contractors."
  • presidentender 16y ago
    What if we correct for union membership and just look at skill level?
    • michaelchisari 16y ago
      I don't know if they can be decoupled. One of the biggest improvements unions made is the apprenticeship requirement, which prevents businesses from hiring unskilled labor for skilled work at well below market rates.
      • eru 16y ago
        Isn't the market rate defined as whatever you can get away with on the market? (Or do you mean, they hire unskilled labour below the market rate of skilled labour?)