WORKERS COMPENSATION RECIPIENCY IN UNION AND NONUNION WORKPLACES

This study estimates union effects on workers' compensation indemnity claims in 1977-92, based on individual panel data constructed from the March Current Population Survey. Union members were substantially mor e likely to receive workers' compensation benefits than were similar n onunion workers, and they were more sensitive to variation in benefit levels and waiting periods. The authors suggest that differences in un ion, as compared to nonunion, workplaces arise because workers are pro vided with information from their union representatives, supervisors a re more likely to inform injured workers about workers' compensation f iling procedures and less likely to discourage workers from filing cla ims, workers are less likely to fear being penalized for filing claims , and management has less discretion and ability to monitor workers an d penalize them for questionable claims. The findings suggest that com munication of relevant information to workers is an important determin ant of workers' compensation recipiency.