THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

Abstract

This exceedingly brief article opens with the author’s reservations about predicting the future of industrial relations in Canada. It proceeds, however, on the assumption that the fundamental nature of Canada’s socio-economic-political system will survive unchanged and that trends resulting from its forces will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. In order to discuss this phenomenon, the article outlines some general trends currently at work in the industrial arena and their implications. It then surveys a few key issues in collective bargaining that are or are likely to proceed to the forefront of discussion and the legal implications should this happen. It concludes that although inadequate, existing legislation requires only minor changes to bring it in line with the requirements of predicted trends.