Does 'fighting back' make a difference? The case of the Canadian auto workers union

Union revitalization requires mutually reinforcing efforts in organizing, political action, and collective bargaining. We examine the experience of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW). In addition to membership growth, three bargaining outcomes are analyzed: (1) wage gains; (2) the ability to resist a t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of labor research 2006-04, Vol.XXVII (2), p.187-212
Main Authors: Eaton, Jonathan, Verma, Anil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobiles
Canada
Collective bargaining
Industrial workers
Institutional change
Labour disputes
Labour relations
Trade unions
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Summary:Union revitalization requires mutually reinforcing efforts in organizing, political action, and collective bargaining. We examine the experience of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW). In addition to membership growth, three bargaining outcomes are analyzed: (1) wage gains; (2) the ability to resist a trend towards longer duration collective agreements; and, (3) success in negotiating same-sex spousal recognition. In each of these areas the CAW has articulated a policy and then made gains in both absolute and relative terms. The CAW's renewal strategy links these bargaining goals with social activism and membership growth through mergers and new organizing. Reprinted by permission of Journal of Labor Research, George Mason University, Department of Economics
ISSN:0195-3613