Unionism in Canada and the United States in the 21st Century: The Prospects for Revival

Summary Based on a review and comparison of recent developments in organizing, collective bargaining and political action, this paper considers the potential for union revival in Canada and the United States. Although unions have devoted considerable energy and resources to new initiatives, the over...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Relations industrielles (Québec, Québec) Québec), 2001, Vol.56 (1), p.34-65
Main Authors: Rose, Joseph B., Chaison, Gary N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
21st century
Accentuation
Agriculture
Alliances
Cadres
Canada
Coalitions
Collective Bargaining
Comparative analysis
Density
Employers
Employment
Industrial relations
International comparisons
Labor Movements
Labor relations
Labor sector
Labor unions
Lobbying
Membership
Memberships
Organizing activities
Participation
Political Action
Political activities
Political parties
Political representation
Protection
Public opinion
Public sector
Recruitment
Studies
Trade unions
Transformation
Trends
Union membership
Unionization
Unions
United States
United States of America
Workforce
Workplaces
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Summary:Summary Based on a review and comparison of recent developments in organizing, collective bargaining and political action, this paper considers the potential for union revival in Canada and the United States. Although unions have devoted considerable energy and resources to new initiatives, the overall evidence leads us to generally pessimistic conclusions. The level and direction of union density rates indicates the two labour movements lack the institutional frameworks and public policies to achieve sustained revival. Significant gains in union membership and density levels will require nothing less than a paradigm shift in the industrial relations systems—a broadening of the scope and depth of membership recruitment, workplace representation and political activities.
ISSN:0034-379X
1703-8138
DOI:10.7202/000140ar