Bargaining power and local labour market influences on wage determination

Abstract

This paper uses a unique panel of data at the level of the bargaining group to examine aspects of `right-to-manage' models of wage determination. Empirical measures of firms' and unions' bargaining power are identified and found to be important influences on wage setting. The role of union characteristics in wage determination is examined; results confirm their importance and illuminate previous survey findings. Features of the local labour market are shown to affect bargained wages over and above the influence of aggregate factors