Discussion: The factor of ability in labor relations

The author suggests an inconsistency in Prof. Healy’s paper [1955, page 45], in that it seems to decry the prevalence of seniority over ability as a factor in the employment relationship, while the evidence seems to suggest that the reliance on seniority – rather than ability – provides equivalent results in terms of efficiency and productivity. The author posits that the prevalence of seniority over ability may well be attributable principally to the effectiveness of union organization.