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What Did Unions Do... An Analysis of Canadian Strike Data, 1901-14

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  • Michael Huberman
  • Denise Young

Abstract

Using a new data source on early Canadian strikes, this paper seeks to explain the determinants of strike durations, 1901-14. Three different approaches are evaluated: a screening model, a strike-waves model, and a war-of-attrition model. The results are sensitive to strike issue. For non-wage issue strikes, the screening model performs poorly. A strike-waves model that incorporates elements of a war-of-attrition is best suited to explain the durations of multiple-issue strikes. The determinants of durations for the period are compared with findings for the period after 1945. Avec l'aide d'une nouvelle source de données sur les grèves canadiennes, cet article cherche à expliquer les facteurs déterminants dans la durée des grèves pour la période allant de 1901 à 1914. Trois approches différentes sont évaluées : un modèle screening, un modèle vague-de-grèves, et un modèle de guerre d'usure. Les résultats sont directement liés aux facteurs mis en jeu dans les grèves. Pour les grèves dont les points de litige ne portent pas sur les revenus, le modèle screening n'est pas très adéquat. Un modèle vague-de-grève qui incorpore les éléments d'un modèle de guerre d'usure offre un meilleur cadre pour analyser les durées des grèves ayant de multiples points de litige. Les facteurs déterminants dans la durée des grèves pour la période sont comparés aux résultats trouvés pour la période d'après 1945.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Huberman & Denise Young, 1995. "What Did Unions Do... An Analysis of Canadian Strike Data, 1901-14," CIRANO Working Papers 95s-17, CIRANO.
    • Handle: RePEc:cir:cirwor:95s-17
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    File URL: https://cirano.qc.ca/files/publications/95s-17.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Strike; Wage; Grève ; Revenus;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J5 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor-Management Relations, Trade Unions, and Collective Bargaining

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