Collective bargaining in the building, coalminingand transportation industries of Canada.

Abstract

It is beyond doubt that no amount of theorizing can wipe away the basic differences in point of view that are to be found in the realm of industrial activity. The business man, as atrained co-ordinator of economic activity, regards it as his proper policy to reduce costs of production to a minimum. One of these costs is the labour cost. There is no reason evident to the business man that should prevent him from applying the same skill in determining wage rates as in buying material supplies. Hence he attempts to secure labour as cheaply as possible. He devotes as little as possible to the item of wages. This the competitive system demands. The workman, on the other hand, has as his essential endeavour the attempt to secure as high wages as possible. [...