[Winona Online Democracy] To Spencer Madsen
Subject: Response (in part) to Questions Many estimates of union influence on wages have been made in the United States and elsewhere. Many have been spun according to the particular interest of the source. Don't expect any unanimity of opinion even among relatively unbiased experts, but there seems to be some agreement that currently unionized firms have at least a 10 percent advantage in wages (a drop from more than 25 percent three decades ago) over nonunion counterparts in the United States. Unions seem also to be responsible for better peripheral benefits. The greatest advantage accrues, it seems, to blue collar, nontechnical workers. To explore further this murky area of differentials you might wish to check with the Panel Study of Income Dynamics of the Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor(http:://www.isr. umich. edu/src/psid/ bibliography/biblio.html ), which provides a constantly updated list of materials on wage differentials, including books, articles, book chapters, dissertations, conference proceedings and government reports. Of course, there is always the problem of cause and effect. Unionization may not be the only cause of the differences in salaries among unionized and nonunion organizations. Many studies explore other these conditions. I tend to agree with your view of sweatshops and the consequences of activities that may be taken against them. The criticism of third- or second-world laboring conditions has validity in a few cases with respect to a lack of "democracy" (variously and tactically defined; but how did contemporary Taiwan get in there?) and working conditions and environmental problems. But in much of the world the options for immediate reform are few, and much of the criticisms, from both the right and the left may have more to do with old-fashioned protectionism --a return to pre-World War II days, but now with underdeveloped countries as the target--than a genuine concern for laborers in Asia, Africa or Latin America. Protectionism may be justified occasionally, but often it is not, and its international consequences could be disastrous. We have enough troubles as it is. These topics extend well beyond Wal-mart (of which I am not an ally), but their emergence in the Wal-mart discussions indicate again how local topics often cannot be dealt with in isolation. Roy Nasstrom _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
