Qu’est devenu le modèle québécois de relations professionnelles ?

Abstract

The Quebec model of industrial relations established in the 1960s led to a strengthening of unions both in workplaces and at the political level. Workers benefited from collective bargaining and unions became key political interlocutors. From the 1980s onwards, the changes in capitalism have weakened standard employment relations and hampered union organizing. Unions also lost their influence with respect to the state. Advances for workers were mainly gained through the protection of individual rights and struggles led by other social movements. This situation questions both the political strategies of the labour movement and the unions’ ability to represent the diversity of the workforce.

Keywords

• Economic and social rights
• precarious jobs
• relationship between the state and trade unions
• Quebec
• industrial relations
• labour movement