We study how labor market conditions affect unionization decisions. Tight labor markets might spur unionization, e.g., by reducing the threat of unemployment after management opposition or employer retaliation in response to a unionization attempt. Tightness might also weaken unionization by...

Labour market reforms have been undertaken to eliminate labour market rigidities in European countries since 1970s. The important features of the reforms are the reduction in adjustment costs and the introduction of fixed-term contracts (FTC). Some empirical studies point out that employment...

Introduction -- Shortages and strikes, 1945-1948 -- The era of "The treaty of Detroit," 1949-1950 -- No longer the arsenal of democracy, 1951-1952 -- A post-Korean War boom, 1953 -- A "painfully inconvenient" recession, 1954 -- The fifties in one year, 1955 -- "A severe and prolonged hangover,"...

Old and new EU member states still adopt quite different labor market institutions and policies: convergence has been partial and limited. Nevertheless, a new agreement is spreading on the importance of well-developed, coordinated institutions, supported by social dialogue, in view of the...