The Threat of Unionization, the Use of Debt, and the Preservation of Shareholder Wealth

TLDR

U.S. labor law prohibits firms from preventing workers from forming unions, creating a threat to shareholder wealth. The paper argues that firms use debt to shield shareholder wealth from unionization threats. Issuing debt credibly limits the funds available to a potential union.

Abstract

This paper argues that firms use debt to protect the wealth of shareholders from the threat of unionization. Under U. S. labor law the firm cannot prohibit its workers from attempting to form a collective bargaining unit. Debt policy offers a method of reducing the impact of this monopoly right on shareholders. By issuing debt, the firm credibly reduces the funds that are available to a potential union. Empirical evidence that strongly supports this hypothesis is presented.