Safety performance differences between unionized and non-union motor carriers

This paper analyzes the safety performance differences between union and non-union motor carriers. Based primarily on the safety and health provisions of a national agreement between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a major unionized motor carrier, a hypothesis is developed that union carriers have a positive safety impact. The hypothesis is tested using safety performance data. Key findings are that union membership has a statistically significant positive impact on both driver and vehicle safety performance. Union membership results in significantly fewer crashes as well.

► We analyze the safety performance differences between union and non-union motor carriers.
► We present evidence that union membership impacts safety performance.
► We find that union membership impacts disaggregate measures of safety performance.
► An important finding is that union membership results in fewer crashes as well.