Questions from Labor Economics


Q: Suppose the firm’s labor demand curve is given by w =

Suppose the firm’s labor demand curve is given by w = 20 - 0.01E where w is the hourly wage and E is the level of employment. Suppose also that the union’s utility function is given by U = w × E It is...

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Q: Suppose the economy consists of a union and a nonunion sector.

Suppose the economy consists of a union and a nonunion sector. The labor demand curve in each sector is given by L = 1,000,000 - 20 w. The total (economy wide) supply of labor is 1,000,000, and it doe...

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Q: In Figure 10-7 , the contract curve is PZ.

In Figure 10-7 , the contract curve is PZ. a. Does point P represent the firm or the workers having all of the bargaining power? Does point Z represent the firm or the workers having all of the bargai...

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Q: Consider Table 632 in the 2008 U.S. Statistical Abstract

Consider Table 632 in the 2008 U.S. Statistical Abstract. a. Calculate the union wage effect. Calculate the union effect on total benefits. Calculate the union effect on total compensation. b. Note th...

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Q: Use a graph to demonstrate the likely bargaining outcomes of three industries

Use a graph to demonstrate the likely bargaining outcomes of three industries, all with identical union resistance curves. a. Firm A has been losing money recently as wages and fringe benefits have ri...

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Q: Major League Baseball players are not eligible for arbitration or free-

Major League Baseball players are not eligible for arbitration or free-agency until they have been in the league for several years. During these “restricted” years, a player can only negotiate with hi...

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Q: Soon after the football season ended in 2011, the National Football

Soon after the football season ended in 2011, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), which is the union for the players in the National Football League (NFL), and the team owners (t...

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Q: Suppose the union in problem 10-1 has a different utility

Suppose the union in problem 10-1 has a different utility function. In particular, its utility function is given by U = (w - w*) × E where w * is the competitive wage. The marginal utility of a wage i...

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Q: Figure 10-3 demonstrates some of the trade-offs involved

Figure 10-3 demonstrates some of the trade-offs involved when deciding to join a union. a. Provide a graph that shows how the presence of union dues affects the decision to join a union. (Assume all w...

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Q: A bank has $5 million in capital that it can invest

A bank has $5 million in capital that it can invest at a 5 percent annual interest rate. A group of 50 workers comes to the bank wishing to borrow the $5 million. Each worker in the group has an outsi...

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