Industrial Relations and Government Policy

Abstract

The rapid growth in size and strength of the trade union movement has been one of the most revolutionary developments on the North American continent during the past ten to fifteen years. The very size and scope of this movement, and the tremendous impact which it has had on the national economies of the United States and Canada, have given rise to widespread agitation for greater governmental intervention and control in industrial relations. This agitation has created a serious dilemma. There is as yet no clear and consistent body of principles by which to determine in what manner and to what degree governments should seek to regulate labour-employer relations. There is little agreement as to what the primary objective of governmental policy should be. Should it concentrate on reducing strikes and lockouts to the absolute minimum? Or (which is not the same thing by any means) should it be concerned primarily with encouraging collective bargaining as a means of achieving stable and harmonious day-to-day relations? Should it seek to bring about an exact “balance of power” between organized labour and employers by an equal distribution of legal privileges to and equal restrictions upon each party? Or is its primary duty to protect the rights and liberties of individuals against the possible abuse of power by either or both parties?