The impact of unionization costs when firm-selection matters

How does an increase in unionization costs, i.e. costs which arise when workers are organized by a union, affect the productivity distribution of active firms, wage inequality and welfare? In this paper, we build a model with costly, endogenous unionization, heterogeneous firms as well as free market entry/exit. If unionization costs are relatively low (high), we find that an increase in these costs decreases (increases) average productivity and welfare decreases (increases). Additionally, we find a hump-shaped relationship between unionization costs and wage inequality. These results suggest that policies aiming to reduce unionization could worsen economic performance.