The Prospects for Union Renewal in Canada

Abstract

Since 1985 union membership in Canada has increased by 22 percent, but the density rate has fallen. While recognizing there are various paths to union renewal, this paper examines the importance of organizing. The study finds that important changes in the economic, political, and social environments have made it increasingly difficult for unions to achieve appreciable organizing gains, particularly in those sectors of the economy experiencing significant employment growth. The results suggest that barring a paradigm shift created by an economic or other crisis, it is unlikely union density will rebound in the foreseeable future.