Industrial Relations Outlook: Opening the Lines of Communication

IR Outlook 2008 maintains that industrial relations will be marked by pragmatism, open communication, and pay increases exceeding the cost of living. Our economy is strong; the labour market is tightening; and labour must be flexible, considering conditions such as potential offshoring of jobs. The European Union’s formalized social dialogue offers a model for such collaboration.

An exception to the good news is the manufacturing and export sector, weakened by the high Canadian dollar. To help, unions, politicians, and policy-makers are lobbying for a national industrial strategy.

Because of the shortage of labour, employers must attract and retain older—as well as younger—workers. Unions support the development of a public pension scheme that combines portability and security.

Unions and employers must decide how to use and serve the growing ranks of contingent workers. Will labour organization be important for the workers of the future, or will union density continue to decrease?