Thomas Hyclak

Participation in union activities: A multivariate analysis

Multivariate analysis is used to estimate a model of member participation in local union activities. A sample of 387 members of the UAW living in the Detroit area was drawn from the1961 Detroit Area Study: Work Group Influence and Political Participation. It was hypothesized that participation would be positively associated with level of schooling, current wages, seniority, skilled jobs, job dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction with the local union, desire for another job, commitment to the labor movement, and getting along with others. OLS and Logit estimation techniques were used and support was found for all hypotheses except those related to wage levels and seniority.

On the determinants of full employment unemployment rates in local labour markets

(1987). On the determinants of full employment unemployment rates in local labour markets. Applied Economics: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 191-200.

The wage structure and wage distribution in Poland, 1994‐2001

Analyzes the wage structure and wage distribution for male and female Polish workers during a more mature phase of a transition to a market economy, namely 1994‐2001. The results indicate an overall rise in earnings inequality for both genders during this period. Contrary to conventional expectations, changes in the composition of employment caused by a deep restructuring process did not have a significant impact on earnings inequality. Throughout this period, the changes in the wage structure and wage distribution were almost entirely due to the changes in returns to worker characteristics. However, does not observe the “explosion of differentials at all levels,” predicted by many leading models on transition. Wage structures for men and women evolved in different ways. This analysis suggests that the effect of changes in labor supply and institutional factors on the wage structure and wage distribution was relatively unimportant. Demand side factors seem to be far more important in explaining the dynamics of earnings inequality in Poland during 1994‐2001.

Why Strikes Occur: Evidence from the Capital Markets

New and existing empirical evidence regarding the stock market reaction to strikes is used to test the validity of three strike theories. A review of the existing capital market evidence reveals the need for information regarding the intraindustry announcement effects of strikes against manufacturing firms. This need is filled by applying event-study methodology, in a manner consistent with earlier studies, to a sample of strikes during the period 1982-1999. This new evidence, combined with that of previous studies, consistently supports the validity of Hicks theory that strikes are the result of bargaining errors, misperceptions of bargaining goals, or discrepancies between the expectations of union leaders and the rank and file.

The effects of immigrants, women, and teenagers on the relative earnings of black males

There is currently a debate taking place on the impact of immigration on the employment of native-born Americans. Several recent studies have attempted to empirically examine the effect on nativeborn workers but few have investigated the impact on the economic status of black workers. This article attempts to address this question by examining the effects of competition from recent immigrants on the relative earnings of black males. The effects of potential competition from female and teenage workers is also investigated. The results suggest that the relative earnings of centralcity black makes are, in fact, sensitive to the degree of labor force penetration of recent immigrants and female workers.

Worker involvement in implementing new technology

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of worker involvement in the implementation of new technology. While academicians have long called for greater worker involvement in the change process, in practice it seems that organizations resist such involvement to any great degree. The review of the literature presented here suggests that worker involvement is even more critical in implementing new technology as such involvement not only results in less resistance to technological change but, more importantly, greater support and commitment from workers for technological change. This commitment from workers is necessary if new technology is to be successfully implemented.

Rising Wage Inequality: The 1980s Experience in Urban Labor Markets

Hyclak examines changes in the structure of wages paid for some 40 different jobs found in four different occupational groups. In addition, he concentrates on the jobs and the skills required as the primary determinant of wages, an approach, he says, that complements the more traditional human capital wage model that emphasizes the personal characteristics of workers.

Racial differences in the unemployment response to structural changes in local labor markets

This analysis uses establishment-level data on job creation and destruction to examine the unemployment rate responses of black, Hispanic and white workers to shifts in demand across firms and industries during the period 1980–84. Black unemployment rates are significantly more responsive to differences in aggregate demand growth and wage flexibility than are white and Hispanic unemployment rates, and they are also more severely impacted by structural changes in labor demand than are white and Hispanic unemployment rates. Additional research using the measures and focus of the present analysis that cover other time periods can assist in developing a clearer picture of the contemporary dynamics of urban labor markets and can provide guidance for public policy.

The determinants of real wage flexibility

Abstract A two-equation model of the labour market is separately estimated for each of the 48 contiguous states of the USA. Empirical estimates derived by running the model on data from the 1964–86 period enable state-specific estimates of long-run real wage flexibility to be derived. A further empirical investigation is then conducted in order to establish what factors determine inter-state variation in wage flexibility. We find, amongst other things, strong support for the efficiency wage interpretation of wage stickiness.

Some new historical evidence on the impact of affirmative action: Detroit, 1972

A sample of Detroit area firms in 1972 is used to determine the effects of affirmative action requirements and other firm characteristics on the recruitment and hiring of women and black men. The results suggest that affirmative action changed firm hiring practices with respect to black males. The unique data set also allows for a test of Becker’s well-known hypothesis that customer prejudice may influence the hiring of blacks or females.