ENGINEERING RESISTANCE : ENERGY PROFESSIONALS AND THE 2005 STRIKE IN NEOLIBERAL ONTARIO

Abstract

In the summer of 2005, the Societyof Energy Professionals Hydro OneLocal engaged in unprecedented strike action that lasted 105 days. This articledocuments the strike, and explores howand why it occurred, and with suchsignificant support and participation from the 1000 members of a union that hadno militant history. I trace the build-up,progression and resolution of the strike,drawing from Society materials, media reports and ethnographic observation, aswell as the insights of elected leaders, staff representatives, and rank and filemembers of the Society collected throughinterviews and written questionnaires.I conclude that government policy and management behaviour caused workeranger but that union education, organization and democracy were integral tomoving these “professional” workers into job action.