A model of two unionized, vertically connected oligopolistic industries is
analyzed. Economic performance, measured by consumer prices, depends on the
institutional setting of wage bargaining. Two externalities may occur, nam
ely an integration and a competition externality, which have opposite effec
ts. With decentralized bargaining no externalities can be internalized resu
lting in low consumer prices. With bargaining at the industry level only th
e competition externality is internalized resulting in high prices. With ce
ntralized bargaining both externalities can be internalized resulting again
in low prices. With at least two firms in each industry, the decentralized
setting performs best. Performance improves with an increase in the compet
ition of the product markets. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights res
erved.