Industrial Conflict and Resolution in Canada and Britain

Abstract

Approaches to industrial conflict resolution in Canada and Britain are examined. The Canadian policy to regulate industrial conflict through a discrete interventionist formula, as opposed to British government′s “hands‐off” approach in dealing with industrial disputes, would suggest a much greater volume in strike activity and incidence of strikes in Britain than in Canada. But this is not the case; the reverse is true. A “politics of production” approach, concentrating on three key loci of workplace struggle between management and labour in the two countries, is presented, concentrating on areas of discipline, regulation of the internal labour market and job control. It is argued that rather than reducing industrial conflict, the Canadian policy may actually be a major cause.