he market for low-skilled workers is highly competitive, due to the high numbers of low skilled individuals. If the labor supply is given by the equation QS = 10W and measured per hour, and the demand for labor is given by the equation QD = 240 − 20W. Where Q measures the quantity of labor hired (in thousands of hours). Answer the following: (a) At the market equilibrium what is the going wage rate and quantity of low-skilled labor being employed? (b) If the union successfully forces a minimum wage increase of $9 per hour, at the new market equilibrium what will be the new quantity of labor hired and the quantity of any excess (demand or supply) of labor? (c) At the $9 minimum wage how much deadweight loss is created? (d) After the implementation of the $9 minimum wage, in terms of surplus how much better off are low-skilled workers and how much worse off are employers?  (e) If the minimum wage is set at $11 rather than $9 how does the deadweight loss and surplus change?

ECON MICRO
5th Edition
ISBN:9781337000536
Author:William A. McEachern
Publisher:William A. McEachern
Chapter12: Labor Markets And Labor Unions
Section: Chapter Questions
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The market for low-skilled workers is highly competitive, due to the high numbers of low skilled individuals. If the labor supply is given by the equation QS = 10W and measured per hour, and the demand for labor is given by the equation QD = 240 − 20W. Where Q measures the quantity of labor hired (in thousands of hours). Answer the following:

(a) At the market equilibrium what is the going wage rate and quantity of low-skilled labor being employed?

(b) If the union successfully forces a minimum wage increase of $9 per hour, at the new market equilibrium what will be the new quantity of labor hired and the quantity of any excess (demand or supply) of labor?

(c) At the $9 minimum wage how much deadweight loss is created?

(d) After the implementation of the $9 minimum wage, in terms of surplus how much better off are low-skilled workers and how much worse off are employers? 

(e) If the minimum wage is set at $11 rather than $9 how does the deadweight loss and surplus change?

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