A Time Series Analysis of Wages in Deregulated Industries: A Study of Motor Carriage and Rail

Abstract

Using time series techniques, we contrast the impact of deregulation in trucking and rail labor markets. During regulation both labor markets were characterized by wages considerably higher than manufacturing wages. In fact, trucking and rail wages had a stable, deterministic relationship prior to deregulation. After deregulation, however, the mean trucking wages fell considerably, approaching manufacturing wages, while rail wages remained relatively constant. We also find that deregulation's negative impact on trucking wages was non-discrete and occurred primarily between 1980 and 1984.

JEL classification codes:

• J3
• L92
• L51
• C22

Key words:

• deregulation
• trucking
• rail