Rational Self-Interest, Cost-Benefit Analysis, and Unionization Campaign Support

Victor G. Devinatz

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DOI: 10.2190/CN.32.2.a

Abstract

In his article, "The Rational Calculus of Union Organizing," Lawrence Haber argued that my "relative success" in collecting signed authorization cards from College of Business faculty members at Illinois State University during the 1999-2000 organizing drive should be attributed to "other emotional motives at work" as opposed "to faculty members' self-interest." While acknowledging the relevance of some of Haber's arguments, I defend the assertion outlined in my original article, arguing that the rational/calculation path based on a cost-benefit analysis is still appropriate to utilize for collecting authorization cards, while the emotional path must be invoked to obtain a union certification election victory. Furthermore, I contend that certain emotive issues can dramatically alter the rational calculus of union organizing. I conclude by arguing that Haber only considered cost-benefit analysis in the narrowest sense of representing individual rational self-interest as formulated by Olson.

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