The distributive effects of trade unionism : a look at income inequality and redistribution in Canada’s provinces

In a context of declining distributive justice, this thesis sets out to answer a fundamental ques- tion: Do trade unions shape more equal societies? It aims to investigate whether, despite an in- creasingly hostile environment, trade unions still act as a countervailing power to the forces of capital, promoting equality and solidarity in the distribution of economic resources. Answers are provided through an assessment of the relationship between various dimensions of trade union power, market income inequality, and income redistribution in Canada’s provinces over the last few decades. The thesis also examines whether various patterns of membership composition con- dition the distributive impacts of trade unions. The investigation is set in an original framework combining theories from many perspectives. Power resources theory, which posits that distributive outcomes reflect the balance of power be- tween labour and capital, acts as the main frame of reference. This main frame is complemented by theoretical extensions relative to endogenous sources of union power, the conceptualization of capital power resources, and the income composition trade union members. The membership composition argument – suggesting that the egalitarian effect of trade unions is moderated by the income profile of members – is the most extensive addition to the dominant theory and is built from an integration of economic theory and rational-choice theories of preferences for redistribution. The research design consists of a quantitative analysis of provincial macro-level data from Canada’s provinces over different periods ranging from the early 1980s to the early 2010s. The subnational design, beyond providing a rare laboratory for the study of comparative trade unionism and capitalism, offers a sample in which key relationships can be arguably more easily isolated and studied. Drawing from recent methodological advancements, the bulk of the analytical strategy relies on multilevel analyses of time-series-cross-sectional data using random effect models. This strategy allows for the simultaneous analysis of predictors expected to affect distributive outcomes differently over time. It also opens up possibilities for a substantive evaluation of slow moving trade union and political variables. Despite great changes to the political economy of the provinces over the period analyzed, re- search results suggest that the distributive impact of trade unionism over the last few decades should be understood as egalitarian, but moderate. The effect is moderate as trade unions appear to reduce inequality and favour redistribution only within the middle and upper income segments of the distribution. This targeted impact was found to have much to do with the income profile of unionized individuals. Unpacking the income composition of membership shows that members are disproportionally located in those income segments where the egalitarian impact of unions is significant, suggesting that union solidarity is bounded within the income limits of the unionized population. The results also show that traditional measures of trade union power derived from a “power-in-numbers" perspective offer an incomplete assessment of union influence. When the evaluation of union power is limited to density levels, much of trade unionism’s distributive impact goes unnoticed.Dans un contexte de déclin de la justice distributive, cette thèse tente de répondre à cette question fondamentale : est-ce que les syndicats rendent les sociétés plus égalitaires ? Elle tente de comprendre comment, malgré un environnement de plus en plus hostile, les syndicats peuvent demeurer un contre-pouvoir aux forces du capital et promouvoir l’égalité et la solidarité dans la distribution des ressources économiques. Les réponses à cette problématique sont fournies par une évaluation de la relation entre différentes dimensions du pouvoir syndical, de l’inégalité des revenus et de la redistribution des revenus dans les provinces canadiennes lors des dernières décennies. Aussi, cette thèse examine si différentes compositions du membership conditionnent l’impact distributif des syndicats. Cette enquête mobilise un cadre original combinant des théories provenant de différentes perspectives. La théorie des ressources de pouvoir – qui postule que les conséquences en termes de distribution sont le reflet de la balance des pouvoirs entre le travail et le capital – fait figure de cadre de référence principal. À ce cadre sont ajoutées plusieurs extensions théoriques telles que les sources endogènes du pouvoir syndical, la conceptualisation de ressources de pouvoir du capital et la composition des revenus des membres syndicaux. L’argument de la composition du membership, qui est la principale addition à la théorie dominante mobilisée, est construit par l’intégration des théories économiques et du choix rationnel des préférences de redistribution. Cet argument soutient que les effets égalitaires des syndicats doivent être modérés en fonction des profils des revenus des membres. Le cadre méthodologique de cette recherche est construit à partir d’une analyse quantitative des données provinciales canadiennes au niveau macro sur différentes périodes, celles-ci s’étalant du début de la décennie 1980 au début de la décennie 2010. Ce design sous-national, en plus de fournir un laboratoire unique pour l’étude comparative du syndicalisme et du capitalisme, offre un échantillon dans lequel les variables clés peuvent être plus facilement isolées et étudiées. S’inspirant de récentes avancées méthodologiques, le cœur de la stratégie analytique de cette thèse repose sur une analyse multi-niveaux de données de séries temporelles et transversales utilisant des modèles à effets aléatoires. Cette stratégie nous permet d’utiliser une analyse simultanée de pré- dicteurs censés affecter les conséquences distributives différemment à travers le temps. Ceci ouvre aussi la possibilité pour une évaluation substantive des prédicteurs présentant une faible variabilité telles que les variables syndicales et politiques. Malgré des changements importants dans l’économie politique des provinces canadiennes, nos résultats soutiennent que l’impact distributif du syndicalisme lors des dernières décennies doit être envisagé comme étant égalitaire, mais de façon modérée. Ces effets sont modérés puisque les syndicats réduisent les inégalités et favorisent la redistribution seulement parmi les tranches moyennes et supérieures des segments de la distribution. Cet impact ciblé est lié aux profils des revenus des individus syndiqués. En ventilant la composition des revenus du membership, nous démontrons que les membres sont disproportionnellement localisés dans ces segments où les effets égalitaires des syndicats sont les plus significatifs. Ces résultats suggèrent que la solidarité syndicale est an- crée en fonction des limites des revenus de la population syndiquée. Ils démontrent aussi que la mesure traditionnelle du pouvoir syndical dérivant de la perspective du « pouvoir du nombre » offre une évaluation incomplète de l’influence syndicale. Lorsque l’évaluation du pouvoir syndical est limité à la densité syndicale, une majeure partie de l’impact distributif de cet acteur demeure inaperçue

High-Grade Hydronephrosis Predicts Poor Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy in Patients with Bladder Cancer

We examined whether the presence and severity of preoperative hydronephrosis have prognostic significance in patients who underwent radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The medical records of 457 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 1986 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Following the Society for Fetal Urology grading system, patients were divided into low-, and high-grade hydronephrosis groups. Clinicopathologic factors associated with preoperative hydronephrosis and survival were evaluated. Of a total of 406 patients, unilateral hydronephrosis was found in 74 (18.2%), bilateral hydronephrosis in 11 (2.7%), and no hydronephoris in 321 (79.1%). Low-grade hydronephrosis was found in 57 (12.2%) patients and high-grade hydronephrosis in 28 (6%). Preoperative hydronephrosis was related to higher pT stage and lymph node invasion. In univariate analysis, the presence of hydronephrosis, hydronephrosis grade, age, pT and pN stage, tumor grade, surgical margin, number of retrieved nodes, carcinoma in situ, and lymphovascular invasion were significant prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival. In multivariate analysis, bilateral hydronephrosis and high-grade hydronephrosis remained significant predictors for decreased survival. The presence of preoperative hydronephrosis, and high-grade hydronephrosis are significant prognostic factors in patients with bladder cancer after radical cystectomy

Investigating the Near-Infrared Properties of Planetary Nebula II. Medium Resolution Spectra

We present medium-resolution (R~700) near-infrared (lambda = 1 - 2.5 micron) spectra of a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe). A narrow slit was used which sampled discrete locations within the nebulae; observations were obtained at one or more positions in the 41 objects included in the survey. The PN spectra fall into one of four general categories: H I emission line-dominated PNe, H I and H_2 emission line PNe, H_2-dominated PNe, and continuum-dominated PNe. These categories correlate with morphological type, with the elliptical PNe falling into the first group, and the bipolar PNe primarily in the H_2 and continuum emission groups. Other spectral features were observed in all categories, such as continuum emission from the central star, C_2, CN, and CO emission, and warm dust continuum emission. Molecular hydrogen was detected for the first time in four PNe. An excitation analysis was performed using the H_2 line ratios for all of the PN spectra in the survey where a sufficient number of lines were observed. One unexpected result from this analysis is that the H_2 is excited by absorption of ultraviolet photons in most of the PNe surveyed, although for several PNe in our survey collisional excitation in moderate velocity shocks plays an important role. The correlation between bipolar morphology and H_2 emission has been strengthened with the new detections of H_2 in this survey.Comment: 13 pages, 8 tables, 33 figure

Galactic clusters with associated Cepheid variables. VII. Berkeley 58 and CG Cassiopeiae

Photoelectric, photographic, and CCD UBV photometry, spectroscopic observations, and star counts are presented for the open cluster Berkeley 58 to examine a possible association with the 4.37d Cepheid CG Cas. The cluster is difficult to separate from the early-type stars belonging to the Perseus spiral arm, in which it is located, but has reasonably well-defined parameters: an evolutionary age of ~10^8 years, a mean reddening of E(B-V)_(B0)=0.70+-0.03 s.e., and a distance of 3.03+-0.17 kpc (V_0-M_V=12.40+-0.12 s.d.). CG Cas is a likely cluster coronal member on the basis of radial velocity, and its period increase of +0.170+-0.014 s yr^(-1) and large light amplitude describe a Cepheid in the third crossing of the instability strip lying slightly blueward of strip centre. Its inferred reddening and luminosity are E(B-V)=0.64+-0.02 s.e. and =-3.06+-0.12. A possible K supergiant may also be a cluster member.Comment: Accepted for Publication (MNRAS

The marine soundscape of the Perth Canyon

The Perth Canyon is a submarine canyon off Rottnest Island in Western Australia. It is rich in biodiversity in general, and important as a feeding and resting ground for great whales on migration. Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) has moorings in the Perth Canyon monitoring its acoustical, physical and biological oceanography. Data from these moorings, as well as weather data from a near-by Bureau of Meteorology weather station on Rottnest Island and ship traffic data from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority were correlated to characterise and quantify the marine soundscape between 5 and 3000. Hz, consisting of its geophony, biophony and anthrophony. Overall, biological sources are a strong contributor to the soundscape at the IMOS site, with whales dominating seasonally at low (15-100. Hz) and mid frequencies (200-400. Hz), and fish or invertebrate choruses dominating at high frequencies (1800-2500. Hz) at night time throughout the year. Ships contribute significantly to the 8-100. Hz band at all times of the day, all year round, albeit for a few hours at a time only. Wind-dependent noise is significant at 200-3000. Hz; winter rains are audible underwater at 2000-3000. Hz. We discuss how passive acoustic data can be used as a proxy for ocean weather. Passive acoustics is an efficient way of monitoring animal visitation times and relative densities, and potential anthropogenic influences

Clinical and patient-reported outcomes of SPARE – a randomised feasibility study of selective bladder preservation versus radical cystectomy

OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility of a randomised trial in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and compare outcomes in patients who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy (RC) or selective bladder preservation (SBP), where definitive treatment [RC or radiotherapy (RT)] is determined by response to chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SPARE is a multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing RC and SBP in patients with MIBC staged T2–3 N0 M0, fit for both treatment strategies and receiving three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were randomised between RC and SBP before a cystoscopy after cycle three of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with ≤T1 residual tumour received a fourth cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in both groups, followed by radical RT in the SBP group and RC in in the RC group; non-responders in both groups proceeded immediately to RC following cycle three. Feasibility study primary endpoints were accrual rate and compliance with assigned treatment strategy. The phase III trial was designed to demonstrate non-inferiority of SBP in terms of overall survival (OS) in patients whose tumours responded to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints included patient-reported quality of life, clinician assessed toxicity, loco-regional recurrence-free survival, and rate of salvage RC after SBP. RESULTS: Trial recruitment was challenging and below the predefined target with 45 patients recruited in 30 months (25 RC; 20 SBP). Non-compliance with assigned treatment strategy was frequent, six of the 25 patients (24%) randomised to RC received RT. Long-term bladder preservation rate was 11/15 (73%) in those who received RT per protocol. OS survival was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Randomising patients with MIBC between RC and SBP based on response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not feasible in the UK health system. Strong clinician and patient preferences for treatments impacted willingness to undergo randomisation and acceptance of treatment allocation. Due to the few participants, firm conclusions about disease and toxicity outcomes cannot be drawn

Pursuing Order: Ten Years of Editorial Coverage of the Abortion Issue in The Globe and Mail

A chief function of elite newspapers is the reproduction of order. Ten years (1977-86) of Toronto Globe and Mail editorials about abortion were studied. A total of 40 were found with 30 of these appearing in the last three years of the decade. The editorials demonstrate that the mainstream media dislike those perceived as ideologues, call for moderation, and give preferred coverage to professionals, while virtually ignoring discussion of the ethics of abortion. The editorials cite men eight times as often as women.Un des rôles essentiels des quotidiens d'élite est de représenter l'ordre. Les éditoriaux du Globe and Mail de Toronto ayant pour objet l'avortement furent étudiés sur une période de dix ans (1977-86). Un total de 40 furent découverts, dont 30 avaient été publiés durant les trois années précédant la On de la décennie. Les éditoriaux démontrent une aversion générale envers les gens perçus comme idéo- logues et une préférence pour ceux faisant appel à la modération; ils donnent aussi préférence de couverture aux professionnels, et évitent virtuellement toute discussion sur l'éthique de l'avortement. Les éditoriaux citent les hommes huit fois plus souvent que les femmes