Manufacturing descent? An analysis of the impact of labour law on union organizing activities in Ontario

This dissertation inquires into the relationship between labour law and union organizing and related dynamics. Following a critical review of alternative theoretical perspectives on the relationship between labour law and union growth, it is argued first that there remains significant space for an institutionalist perspective and second that this debate is at least partly dependant upon underlying models of union behaviour. Such existing models are then critically assessed, and a model of union organizing behaviour based upon bounded rationality is developed. Following a description of why the province of Ontario comprises a good "case" for examining this question, hypotheses about the relationship between labour law and various indicators of new union organizing are derived and tested through quantitative analysis of data from the Ontario Labour Relations Board. The impact of labour law upon other related phenomena such as "raiding" activities, "Unfair Labour Practice" complaint activity, and "Duty of Fair Representation" complaint activity is also tested in this manner. As an additional test of the model and hypotheses derived, qualitative case studies are performed of the organizing behaviour of two large general unions in Ontario: the Canadian Auto Workers union and the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Much of the quantitative evidence and certain of the qualitative evidence is interpreted as providing qualified support for the importance of the timing of labour law shifts, and of bounded rationality, in explaining union organizing dynamics in Ontario in recent decades. However, certain qualitative evidence contrary to the theoretical framework suggests the competing importance of alternative models of strategic/moral union behaviour. Overall, the evidence is interpreted as providing qualified support to the conclusion that labour law remains a policy instrument with significant capacity to affect aggregate union organizing behaviour over time.