ABSTRACT
Viewing Richard Freeman and James Medoff collective voice model as a single unified approach would be a mistake; rather, it has a number of dimensions ranging from narrow to broad while also embracing the governance structure of the firm. Moreover, union voice is only one part of this new model of unionism. Subsequent development of the union voice model recognizes the problem of bargaining power. According to the union voice model, the expression of voice should reduce quits and increase tenure — effects that will be amplified because of the union wage premium. Freeman and James seek to gauge the relative strength of union voice and wage effects in influencing quits and tenure. They find that the voice effect of unions dominates any effect from wage increases. This review of union voice has traced some major shifts over the course of the past quarter century in the perception of what unions do.
