Publisher: IRC Press
ISBN: 0-88886-369-1
Year: 1993
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Summary
Canada and the United States are unique in their common labour and management institutions and similar public policy framework for labour relations. Paradoxically, while the two economies became highly interdependent with the signing of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) in 1989, a “continental divide” emerged in patterns of union and management behaviour and strategies, collective bargaining approaches and outcomes and n the direction of public policy. The Canadian labour movement has remained strong and vibrant, showing remarkable resiliency in the face of a vastly altered economic, social and political environment, while in the US, unions have been losing their economic and political influence.
What accounts for this divergence? Is it real or illusory? Will it endure or dissipate as competitive pressures intensify with the maturing of the FTA? What are its implications for economic restructuring in Canada ? Are Canadian labour and management behaviour and strategies conducive to meeting efficiency, flexibility and equity goals? These are some of the key questions addressed in this volume. As well, Dr. Kumar explores implications of the divergence for the future of the labour movement and the Canadian industrial relations system.
Author biography:
Dr. Pradeep Kumar is Professor and Director of the School of Industrial Relations at Queen's University. He has published many articles and books in the area of unionism and collective bargaining and on the auto industry. His current research includes an examination of unions' response to work reorganization and the role of unions and collective bargaining in human resource innovation. |
