The Relevance of the Wagner Act for Resolving Today’s Job-Security Crisis

Abstract

In this paper I start with the simple observation that workers are more vulnerable in times of economic contraction than in times of economic growth. The purpose of my paper is two-fold. First is to unpack the underlying reasons for that phenomenon. Second is to propose a solution that makes workers less vulnerable during recession, and which employers can buy into. My solution—to compel bargaining over mass layoffs and plant closings regardless of whether the workers are unionized—is both economically efficient and values the autonomy and dignity of the worker.