Wage Issues Research Articles

Policy Characteristics, Patterns of Politics, and the Minimum Wage: Toward a Typology of Redistributive Policies

The central hypothesis of all policy typologies is that distinctively different patterns of politics can be identified for different types of public policy issues. Lowi identified three different policy types, which he termed distributive, regulative, and redistributive, each of which triggers a distinctively different pattern of political behavior. Unfortunately, Lowi's categories were inductively derived and ambiguously defined, leading to disagreements over how to categorize particular policies. Hayes built on Lowi's seminal effort, deriving Lowi's three policy categories from two underlying dimensions and identifying additional categories Lowi's original formulation had missed. Using the minimum wage issue as an example, this article will identify a critical deficiency in both these typologies. While Hayes' typology defines the boundaries between policy categories more precisely than Lowi's, neither typology is equipped to deal with variations in political patterns occurring within a particular cell. As this article will show, the minimum wage issue, although consistently redistributive in Hayes' terms, has manifested three very different patterns of politics at different points in time. Accordingly, a typology of redistributive policies will be advanced to account for these variations in the redistributive politics of the minimum wage.

Lessons From Living-Wage Campaigns

This article looks at 10 years of living-wage campaigns to draw out lessons for labor-movement revitalization. Living-wage advocates have succeeded in passing legislation, building labor-community coalitions, raising awareness on economic development and wage issues, assisting new union organizing and winning raises for already unionized workers. Unions could also benefit by following lessons based on the living-wage movement. For example, labor must develop long-term allies, create a moral vision of its own, work from inside and outside the political process to pass and then enforce laws, and do a better job at involving rank-and-file members.

The Political Economy of Feminization: From “Cheap Labor” to Gendered Discourses of Work

Scholars have argued that the feminization of industrial work in developing countries since World War II is primarily a result of women being the cheapest source of labor in the global economy. I argue that scholarship on feminization underestimates the power of gender in labor markets by framing it primarily as an issue of lower wages. This article shows how gendered discourses of work—ideas and practices about men and women providing distinct forms of labor—play a critical role in the feminization process. While agreeing with feminization theorists that competitiveness in export sectors forces employers to reduce production costs, I show that firms and sectors facing similar competitive constraints deploy varied gender divisions of labor in production. Gendered discourses of work not only illuminate processes of job allocation and reallocation at the firm level but also provide a means of connecting shop-floor gender divisions of labor with broader gendered patterns of industrialization and help to explain puzzling empirical patterns. They are as important as, and in some cases more important than, wages. By tracing the processes through which work is gendered and regendered, the analysis opens the black box of feminization and shows how changes in industrialization policy set in motion gendered transformations that ultimately resulted in the feminization of manufacturing work in Indonesia.I would like to thank the editors of Politics & Gender and the anonymous reviewers for comments on earlier versions of this article.

Wage Issues and Human Resources in Singapore

Abstract One of the most important HR issues in Singapore today concerns the transformation of the wage system from the seniority-based wage system to the flexible wage system (FWS) based on annual bonuses in the first instance and then on the monthly variable component (MVC), which is a special case of the FWS. This paper examines the complexities involved in the transformation of the wage system which is intertwined with Singapore's social security scheme, namely the Central Provident Fund (CPF) and the tripartite National Wages Council (NWC). Both macro data and the views of employers and employees at the plant level have been included to examine the success and difficulties in changing the wage system. The main findings are encouraging. The improvement of communication and trust is vital for the success of the FWS. These two factors are crucial and interdependent on each other. Besides a clear understanding of the rationale for the FWS, employees and management must trust one another to work in cooper...

Community Unions and the Revival of the American Labor Movement

Today’s low-wage workforce is mostly ignored by the national political parties and largely untouched by organized labor. Over the last twenty years, “community unions” have emerged to try to fill the void. They are modest-sized community-based organizations of low-wage workers that, through a combination of service, advocacy, and organizing, focus on issues of work and wages. Community unions have so far had greater success at raising wages and improving working conditions via public policy rather than direct labor market intervention. This is because low-wage workers in America today have greater political than economic power.

DOL's wage and hour division issues stream of opinion letters; Department of Homeland Security expands employment verification program

DOL's wage and hour division issues stream of opinion letters; Department of Homeland Security expands employment verification program

Viticulture Labour Recruitment and Retention Issues

Those involved in the New Zealand wine industry have voiced concerns about increasing labour shortages, wage issues, and working conditions for short-term labourers in the viticulture industry. This research is aimed at clarifying issues related to recruitment and retention of workers in New Zealand vineyards. The research is exploratory in nature and includes a review of recent literature on the extent and nature of the problem and provides survey feedback from individual workers and members of viticulture management on the factors that affect labour recruitment and retention. Key findings from the survey are that wages and. by extension, the cost of accommodation, are critical actors affecting workers’ decisions to return to the industry in subsequent seasons. In addition, viticulture owners and managers report that selection of contractor-supervisors is pivotal in ensuring appropriate worker skills are available during peak production periods.

Evaluating the economic effects of a new state-funded school building program: the prevailing wage issue

Two economic simulation models were used to study the economic impact of complying with prevailing-wage requirements in a $10 billion school construction program in New Jersey. Our econometric and input–output models suggest that compliance with the prevailing-wage statute will generate over $6 billion in personal income, a little more than $11 billion in gross state product, about 45,000 new jobs, and over $1.3 billion in state and local tax revenues will be created. If prevailing-wage requirements are not followed, there will be an impact on these results, and the extent of the impact depends markedly on the degree to which non-prevailing-wage workers spend their earnings in New Jersey and pay taxes. In general, prevailing-wage compliance has positive benefits for income and taxes. Non-prevailing wage construction should create more construction jobs, but these jobs create fewer additional jobs in the economy.

From the courts to the state legislatures: social justice feminism, labor legislation, and the 1920s

The Progressive Era, a period of important social and political activism which stretched from 1890 through the end of World War I, now offers a rich, diverse historiography.1 In contrast, the 1920s...

The Impact of Minimum Wages on Job Training: An Empirical Exploration with Establishment Data

Human capital theory suggests that workers may finance on‐the‐job training by accepting lower wages during the training period, Minimum wage laws could reduce job training, then, to the extent they prevent low‐wage workers from offering sufficient wage cuts to finance training. Empirical findings on the relationship between minimum wages and job training have failed to reach a consensus. Previous research has relied primarily on survey data from individual workers that typically lack both detailed measures of job training and important information about the characteristics of firms. This study addresses the issue of minimum wages and on‐the‐job training with a unique employer survey. We find no evidence indicating that minimum wages reduce the average hours of training of trained employees and little to suggest that minimum wages reduce the percentage of workers receiving training.

The Impact of Minimum Wages on Job Training: An Empirical Exploration with Establishment Data

Human capital theory suggests that workers may finance on-the-job training by accepting lower wages during the training period. Minimum wage laws could reduce job training, then, to the extent they prevent low-wage workers from offering sufficient wage cuts to finance training. Empirical findings on the relationship between minimum wages and job training have failed to reach a consensus. Previous research has relied primarily on survey data from individual workers that typically lack both detailed measures of job training and important information about the characteristics of firms. This study addresses the issue of minimum wages and on-the-job training with a unique employer survey. We find no evidence indicating that minimum wages reduce the average hours of training of trained employees and little to suggest that minimum wages reduce the percentage of workers receiving training.

Wages And Conditions Of The Victorian Outdoor Education Profession

Abstract The aim of this research is to investigate remuneration packages and working conditions of the Victorian Outdoor Education profession. A varying range of Outdoor Educators working in a diverse range of programs and conditions were surveyed at the Victorian Outdoor Education Association's (V.O.E.A.) state wide 'Conference 2000'. The results reflect variability within remuneration packages and working conditions, however, some clear trends were evident. These included the majority of participants receiving such benefits as public liability insurance, superannuation and workcover. However, no participants indicated that they received overtime; rather they received time off in lieu of additional hours worked. The majority of participants received a benefit such as a company vehicle, meals, accommodation and usage of a mobile phone whilst physically working on programs, however, the data indicated that these benefits were not continued for the majority of participants for personal use. When the results are compared to data obtained in similar research that was carried out in South Australia, the average remuneration for the Victorian outdoor educator is generally higher than that of South Australian colleague. This research attempts to provide a more in-depth examination of what remuneration and working conditions exist for the Victorian outdoor educator, however, for a more comprehensive reflection of the industry standards a greater cross section of participants may be useful. Further investigation on not only a state wide level, but perhaps more importantly, a national level is recommended to obtain greater insight and understanding of remuneration and working conditions for Victorian and Australian outdoor educators Background Over the past decade in the profession of Outdoor Education there has always been some intermittent and spasmodic dialogue about longevity, pay and working conditions for the outdoor education professional. In more recent years this dialogue has appeared with more regularity. In April 2000, a forum in South Australia was held to examine the issue of professional wages and conditions in the Outdoor Education and Recreation professions (Polley, 2000). Results from this forum in South Australian indicated that there was a great variation in pay rates: and conditions. A 'summary of pay scales and levels of responsibilities and qualifications' was developed. It was suggested that this be used, as a starting point for further discussion, and that other issues raised in relation to pay and working conditions should be investigated further. In Victoria Lugg and Martin (2000) were focusing on the working conditions in Victorian secondary schools and Cheney and Thomas (2000) were examining the common practices of residential outdoor campsites including staff turnover and human resource management practices. Lugg and Martin (2001) found that in the Victorian Education sector, Outdoor Education is taught predominately by "enthusiastic, underqualified, overworked teachers who are trying to achieve in their own time what most other teachers get paid to do during work hours" (Lugg & Martin, p48, 2001). McArthur (1999) found when he examined benchmarks for best practice in Outdoor Education that a senior school teacher package has been promoted as a benchmark for wages and conditions for a well qualified outdoor educator. He argues, however, that clients are not prepared to pay commercial rates for their outdoor experiences and therefore stand-alone programs cannot provide salaries and conditions that meet this benchmark. Edwards and Gray (1998) explored the reasons for burnout within the outdoor profession. They suggested that we look after our clients/students better than we look after ourselves, and as a result the outdoor profession is plagued by high rates of attrition and instructor turnover. McArthur (1999) supports this, saying that there is an acceptance in the outdoor profession that staff who work full time in field positions, have a 3 -5 year 'shelf life'. …

Determinants of earnings in the public and private sector in Greek labour market: The case of tertiary technological and secondary education graduates

Internationally, there is a considerable interest on issues of wages in the public and private sector of an economy. This paper attempts to estimate the determinants of earnings of tertiary technological and secondary education graduates, working in the public and private sector of the Greek economy. The study uses earnings data from a stratified sample throughout the entire country in order to estimate earning functions both for the total economy as well as by sector. The overall results show that years of schooling, experience, marital status, sector of employment and interactive factors like years of schooling with sector of employment and gender with sector of employment have a statistically significant effect on earnings. In particular, in the public sector years of schooling, experience, marital status and interactive factors like gender with sub-sector of employment and experience with sub-sector of employment have all a strong effect on earnings. In the private sector, years of schooling, experience, marital status, size of firm and interactive factors like years of schooling with size of firm and experience with size of firm are the main determinants of earnings.

The fairness of minimum wages in South Africa

Although the debate on minimum wages is far from new it remains a controversial issue for all role players in South Africa, for instance with the research done by the government on the laying down/introduction of national minimum wages in 1994. Much research has already been done on the economic merits of certain aspects regarding minimum wages. However, very little, if indeed any, has been done on the ethical side of minimum wages. This article therefore addresses the issue of minimum wages from an ethical point of view. From the Scriptures we learn that “A worker should be given his pay” – (Good News Bible) or “a worker deserves his wages” (New International Version). Unless otherwise stated, all Bible quotations in this article are taken from the NIV. The discussion therefore suggests that minimum wages or any type of wages for that matter, cannot be paid without considering the productivity levels of the workers concerned. There should certainly not be any “free lunch” – especially not in a low‐productivity economy such as South Africa.

Fangelønn og menneskeverdighet

The German Constitutional Court has recently ruled on the issue of prisoner wages, which will lead to a more equitable pay scale. German prisoners are currently paid approximately 10 DM per day, or 5% of the average non-prison wage. The Court found this unconstitutional since work in prison, as the central part of the rehabilitative aim, should reflect the principle of fair salary. The ruling was based on constitutional principles regarding the social state and the dignity of all human beings.

The Salmon P. Chase Papers Vol. 3: Correspondence, 1858-March 1863 , and: The Salmon P. Chase Papers Vol. 4: Correspondence, April 1863-1864 (review)

BOOK REVIEWS143 though not surprising. Both countries were in the process of nation-making. Ultimately, the American Civil War and the German Wars forged "new" nations. Other essays of note include Richard E. Berringer's work on Confederate identity and the will to fight; Herman Hattaway's exploration ofCivilWararmies; James M. McPherson's treatise on the Civil War as a total war; and Phillip Paludan's foray into Northern propaganda and public opinion. Equally interesting is Stig Forster's effort on Prussian military leadership and Gerd Krumeich's piece on the "people's war in Germany and France from 1871 to 1914. Moreover , Manfred Messerschmidt's lucid analysis of reform within the Prussian Army prior to the Wars of Unification and Jay Luvaas's insightful work on the influence of the German Wars on late nineteenth-century U.S. Army reform demonstrate the need for further comparative efforts on modern military systems and cultures. In short, this book deserves space on the shelf of every student of war. It is not the definitive answer to the nagging question of what constitutes total war, but it does set the framework forthe discussion. Perhaps Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan answered the query of what constitutes total war succinctly when advising Otto Von Bismarck on the German course of action during the Wars of Unification: the enemy peoples, Sheridan cautioned, "must be led with nothing but their eyes to weep with over the war." Indeed, all enemy peoples' tears spent agonizing over the results of these "total" wars have proven inestimable. Mark Grandstaff Brigham Young University The Salmon P. Chase Papers Vol. 3: Correspondence, 1858-March 1863. Edited by John Niven. Associate editors, James P. McClure and Leigh Johnsen. (Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 1996. Pp. xxxi, 481. $45.00.) The Salmon P. Chase Papers Vol. 4: Correspondence, April 1863-1864. Edited by John Niven. Associate editors, James P. McClure and Leigh Johnsen. Assistant editor, Kathleen Norman. (Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 1997. Pp. xxxi, 481. $45.00.) Salmon Portland Chase was at the center of American politics and antislavery agitation politics from the 1840s until his death in 1873, occupying such positions as United States senator, governor of Ohio, secretary of the Treasury, and chiefjustice ofthe U.S. Supreme Court.As such he enjoyed and maintained a vast correspondence with the luminaries of the middle period of American history. In these next two volumes in the series of Chase's papers, editor John Niven gives us a penetrating glimpse of Chase and his correspondents through the bulk of the Civil War. The letters chosen are excellent representatives ofChase's mountainous correspondence, andthey are luxuriously footnoted and referenced. Scholars and students in general should be aware of the material residing in these published letters, for they touch upon vital issues of the war period. Chase 144CIVIL WAR HISTORY kept abreast of all movements touching upon slavery and the fate of blacks. He obtained much advice about the proceedings at Port Royal, South Carolina, and volume 3 has an abundance of letters from Mansfield French, Edward L. Pierce, and William H. Reynolds on the condition of the slave population in the Sea Islands. Likewise, these volumes, especially the fourth, have numerous letters from New Orleans about the regimes of Nathaniel P. Banks and Benjamin F. Butler. The writers debated the economic future of the freedpeople and brought up the issues of wages, apprenticeships, land leases, and yeoman farming. Also prominent in this collection is the controversy over emancipation and the use of black troops. When Chase wrote letters to others, he commented about Lincoln's slow-but-sure movement to emancipation. Indeed, in his letters one can almost witness the changes in Chase himself as he evolved from an individual holding constitutional anti-extensionist views to a fervent advocate of black suffrage. As one would expect, many letters deal with financing the war effort. These letters are dry reading and at times not quite as informative as one would wish; nonetheless, they provide a glimpse into Chase's economic thinking and his powers ofcalculation. In particular, Chase showed his distaste for paper money and an unstable standard of value. He wanted a national...

Trade unions and the non‐payment of wages in Russia

In the absence of slavery, worker and employer enter into an enforceable contractual agreement whereby the former is regularly paid by the latter. The systematic non‐payment of wages in Russia is the most tangible manifestation of the absence of the rule of law in that country and represents a potent obstacle to the development of effective trade unionism. However, the wage issue has to be set in the context of the wider malaise of non‐payment which exists, and for which central government must bear primary responsibility. This paper explores the dilemmas which this situation presents to the union movement and seeks to address the questions of what can and should the unions do about the situation? Because of the depth of the crisis inflicted on the economy by “shock therapy”, the answers are not to be found in the bankruptcy courts. While not abrogating their union functions, the trade unions must seek the satisfaction of realisable political demands.

North–South Trade and Occupational Wages: Some Evidence from North America

The issue of trade and wages in general, and of North–South trade and wages in particular, has recently received a great deal of attention by economists and public policy analysts. This paper offers some empirical evidence of the effects of North–South trade on occupational wages in North America. Using a detailed, applied general equilibrium model, results are obtained indicating that it is possible for trade liberalization among the North American countries to entail real wage benefits for most occupational groups in all three countries. An exception to this general pattern is the case of agricultural laborers in Mexico.

Die produktiwiteitsdimensie in minimumlone

The productivity dimension of minimum wagesAuthorities in South Africa are currently investigating the issue of introducing a national minimum wage in the economy. “Business South Africa", as a representative of the private sector, also made proposals in this regard at the beginning of November 1995. The minimum wage debate is really not a new one and much research has already been done on the economic merits of certain aspects regarding minimum wages. However, very little, if indeed anything, has been done concerning the ethical aspect of minimum wages. This article therefore addresses the issue of minimum wages from an ethical point of view. The discussion suggests that minimum wages cannot be paid in an economy without taking into consideration the productivity levels of the workers concerned. Productivity considerations must be taken into account in the determination of the level of minimum wages, or any other type of wages fo r that matter. There should certainly not be any 'free lunch' - especially not in a low-productivity economy.

THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR STICKY WAGES

Abstract. The paper compares three different types of theoretical explanation of ‘sticky’wages. They are implicit contracts, efficiency wage models and insider/outsider models. It then reconsiders Keynes’rationale for sticky wages, which focuses on relative wage issues. Finally, the paper considers possible directions for future research.