Mr. Harris, Mr. Rae and Union Activity in Ontario

Abstract

In 1990 Bob Rae's New Democratic (NDP) government was elected in Ontario and in 1993 they passed labour relations legislation favouring organized labour. In 1995 Mike Harris' Progressive Conservative (PC) government was elected and they quickly passed legislation much less favourable toward unions. Monthly data, 1987-98, are used to estimate the effects of the changes in government and legislation on certification and decertification activity and complaints of unfair labour practices. Certification activity increased and decertification activity decreased after the NDP legislation was passed. The opposite occurred with the election of Harris' Conservatives and the change of government had a significant impact, even before new legislation was passed. Complaints of unfair labour practice rose during the NDP tenure but returned close to historical levels under the PCs.