The Work Stoppages Data from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada [HRSDC]: A Research Note

Authors

  • Linda Briskin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25071/1705-1436.150

Abstract

As part of a research program on worker militancy, this note presents an overview of the data on work stoppages from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada [HRSDC] (previously Human Resources Development Canada [HRDC]) with reference to the 21261 strikes from 1966-2001. It unpacks the definitions embedded in 'work stoppage', considers how to group strikes by number of workers and duration, comments on the contract status and result variables, and discusses how strike issues are coded.

Several themes emerge. The state's major interest in strikes relates to their economic impact, which is operationalized through 'person days lost'. A shift from 'person days lost', to worker militancy allows for revealing re-interpretations of the data which will help make visible the relevance of such stoppages to workers, unions and communities. Examining the HRSDC data in this new light also underscores the political nature of data collection (what is seen to be germane and not), and data presentation (what is made visible and what is concealed).

References

Akyeampong, Ernest. (2001) "Time Lost to Industrial Disputes." Perspectives. Statistics Canada, 13, 3: 14-16.

Briskin, Linda with Kristine Klement. (2004) "Excavating the Labour Dispute Data from Statistics Canada: A Research Note." Just Labour www.justlabour.yorku.ca 4: 83-95.

Ewing, K.D., Sian Moore and Stephen Wood. (2003) Unfair Labour Practices: Trade Union Recognition and Employer Resistance. London: Institute of Employment Rights.

Gunderson, Morley, Allen Ponak, Daphne Taras. (2001) "Strikes and Dispute Resolution" (Chapter 11). eds. Morley Gunderson, Allen Ponak, Daphne Taras. Union Management Relations in Canada (4th ed). Toronto: Addison Wesley Longman, pp. 314-358.

Labour Canada: Women's Bureau. (1975) Women in the Labour Force: Facts and Figures. [Cat No. L38-30/1975] Ottawa: Information Canada.

Peirce, Jon. (2003) "Strikes" (Chapter 11). Canadian Industrial Relations (2nd ed). Toronto: Prentice Hall, pp. 337-371.

Statistics Canada. (2003) Women in Canada: Work Chapter Updates [Cat.No. 89F0133XIE] Ottawa: Ministry of Labour.

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Published

— Updated on 2005-01-01

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How to Cite

Briskin, L. (2005). The Work Stoppages Data from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada [HRSDC]: A Research Note. Just Labour, 5. https://doi.org/10.25071/1705-1436.150

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Special Section