Unions and employment growth: Panel data evidence

This study adds to the small empirical literature on the impact unions have on employment growth using data from Australia. Unlike previous studies, t he data used are from a panel of firms surveyed at two points in time rathe r than a single cross section. The results indicate a negative union effect on employment in private-sector firms of about 2.5 percent per annum that, despite the very different institutional framework that prevails in Austra lia, is consistent with results obtained with North American data.