Question

A market in perfect competition is in long-run equilibrium. What happens to the market if labor unions are able to increase wages for workers?

Short answer

Supply in the market falls and hence price rises.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

The perfect competition takes place if all firms sell similar items, market share has no effect on the price, companies can enter and exit without hindrance, buyers have perfect or complete information, and companies cannot determine prices.

Explanation

As the wages rise, cost of productions rises too. When cost of production goes up at the prevailing wages, some firms will face losses. This is because overall, a firm in perfect competitive market can't earn economic profit. They can just cover up the costs incurred.

So, some firms will shut down. This leads to a upward shift in the prices of the commodities due to reduced supply. Such adjustments will continue in the market till the firms earn $0$economic profits.