Uneasy Terrain: The Impact of Capital Mobility on Workers, Wages, and Union Organizing. Part II: First Contract Supplement

Abstract

In September 2000 we submitted our research report, "Uneasy Terrain: The Impact of Capital Mobility on Workers, Wages, and Union Organizing," to the U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission. The findings from our study were then incorporated in their final report, The U.S. Trade Deficit: Causes, Consequences and Recommendations for Action. Our original study examined, in depth, the relationship between capital mobility and threats of capital mobility on the union organizing process and outcomes. In the spring of 2000 the Commission contracted with us to complete a follow-up study to further examine plant closings and capital mobility in the aftermath of union organizing victories and the impact of capital mobility threats on the first contract process and outcomes. Through surveys, personal interviews, documentary evidence, and the use of electronic databases, our Cornell University research team was able to collect detailed data on the extent, nature, and impact of plant closings and plant closing threats for 156 of the 193 elections won by the union in our original random sample of more than 400 NLRB certification election campaigns that took place between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 1999. By further examining the relationship between capital mobility and the first contract process, this study adds further corroboration of our earlier findings on the devastating impact that capital mobility and the threat of capital mobility have had on the ability of American workers to exercise their rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.