industrial relations between Canada and USA

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COMPARISON BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN USA AND CANADA
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Abstract
Labor movements in USA and Canada have most common aspects and close historical
connections (Tilly and Wood, np). They are tied together by a continental heritage that is
common, labor markets and products that are interdependent. The two countries have labor
relations structure that looks similar. The Canadian labor movement is characterized by
international unions which have major head offices and membership in the US. Labour unions in
these two countries have common objectives and beliefs, have the same organizational structures
and functions and structure, and have been advocating for the legitimacy in facing a challenging
and hostile political, economic and social technological environment.
Introduction
In contrast to the industrial relations in the US, the labor movement in Canada is seen to
be vibrant, displaying resilience that is remarkable in the reign of an economy that has changed
vastly (Naylor np). Its file and rank has been growing steadily except for a brief time of decline
and slowdown experienced in 1982-1983. Labor industrial movement in Canada has not just

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survived but has in any ways become stronger and more dynamic. A as consequence, it has been
seen to assume a leadership function in economic and social changes through actively pushing
for better legislation through campaigns that are coordinated with an aim of bringing full policies
for employment and against privatization of free trade, obstructive labor legislation and
deregulation.
Literature Review
A major difference in industrial relations between Canada and USA is that in Canada,
almost all workers who are employed by the government – local, federal and provincial – and
employees working in the health and education sectors are eligible to be members of a union
(Reese and Urban Center Staff np). In Canada, workers in the public sector constitute almost half
of the overall union membership in Canada. In the US, union organization in the public sector is
generally lower, particularly less than half of the workforce, apart from the local and state levels
of government where it is higher but still fewer than in Canada. Employees in the public sector
are made up of less than 30% of the total union membership in America. This difference is
brought about by the fact that workers in the public sector in Canada enjoy more collective
bargaining rights as compared to the United States. The public sector union in Canada
particularly the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the National Union of Provincial
Government Employees, which are the two major fastest developing national unions. These two
unions are far much pro-active and aggressive compared to their colleagues in the US. The two
firms have increased their membership by about twenty percent.
Labor unions in Canada have devoted much of their resources and time, and have had
additional success compared to compared to labor unions in the United States, in organizing

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workers that are unorganized (Van der Linden 56). Emergence firms greatly vary according to
region, reflecting inequalities in the environment of the labor market. Regardless of the
concerted efforts of organizing, unions have not attained noteworthy inroads in organizing
employees in finance and trade which are the two major strongholds of nonunion occupation. In
order to strengthen new firms and to enhance unionism additionally attractive to workers that are
unorganized, mainly women, employees and professionals who work on a part-time basis in
Canada have been actively involved in pursuing issues related to women as compared to those in
the United States. In Canada, most Unions have increased the number of women who represent
workers in their executive boards which is an attempt to draw-out the issue that labor unions are
majorly dominated by men.
Conclusion
According to the research above, it becomes doubtful to posit that workers are different
and additionally disposed in Canada compared to the US. It is seen that the variance in
performance of labor movements in these two nations is largely founded on the basis of
unionism and in strategies of planning and bargaining of unions, and not in the variances in
economic, social and political legislative environment. The hostility of employers, adversities in
the work environment, weaknesses in legislation of labor and the indifference of the State and
public can be achieved if the employees perceive unions as a tool that is significant in elevating
their social and economic status, and for expressing their aspirations and requirements.

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COMPARATIVE
STANDARD
USA CANADA
LABOUR
RELATIONS
I. Labour productivity in
Canada has trailed
behind in terms of
output in dollars earned
per hour.
II. The country has a poor
track of productivity
I. Productivity in
labour has been
increasing
tremendously with
regards to output
per dollar
compared to other

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growth in its labour
centre especially in the
industries.
III. Capital deepening by
use of cutting-edge
capital like robotics and
information technology
is dominant.
IV. Canada has better
growth in labour
composition thus
making its labour
productivity better.
major countries.
II. American has a
great record in
productivity
growth in its labour
centre most
significantly in its
technological and
industrial sector.
III. America has not
ventured much into
capital deepening
as compared to
Canada.
IV. America has
recorded poor
development in
labour
composition.

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Works Cited
Naylor, Robin Thomas. History of Canadian Business. Vol. 207. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP,
2014.
Reese, Laura A., and Urban Center Staff. Local economic development policy: the United States
and Canada. Routledge, 2014.
Tilly, Charles, and Lesley J. Wood. Social Movements 1768-2012. Routledge, 2015.
Van der Linden, Marcel. Transnational labour history: Explorations. Taylor & Francis, 2017.