Final answer:
Unions' impact on productivity is complex; they may cause temporary disruptions from strikes, but also offer benefits such as higher wages, longer tenure, training, and skill development that can lead to increased productivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whether countries with a higher percentage of unionized workers have less growth in productivity due to strikes and other disruptions caused by unions is not definitively answered by a simple true or false. While it is conceivable that strikes and work stoppages could result in decreased productivity in the short term, unions may actually contribute to increased productivity in various ways.
For instance, higher wages negotiated by unions could lead to heightened productivity because workers are more satisfied and motivated. Moreover, union workers commonly have longer tenure in their positions, leading to reduced turnover costs and a more experienced workforce that can enhance productivity. Unions often support job training and apprenticeship programs, which can result in a more skilled workforce and thus higher productivity levels. Conversely, opposition to new technology might hinder productivity if it delays modernization, but many unions support technological advancements when it ensures job security and worker benefits.