TORONTO, December 10, 2002 -- The Centre for Research on Work and Society (CRWS) at York University will examine the nature of the "new economy" in Canada and how changes in the labour market and the structure of work are affecting Canadians’ lives, with a $900,000 grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), York University Vice-President Research and Innovation, Stan Shapson, announced today.
"This funding recognizes the importance of strong social sciences research to ensure that Canada responds to global economic challenges in a way that benefits all Canadians," said Shapson. He said the research project, Restructuring Work and Labour in the New Economy, has important policy implications as governments seek creative and effective responses to the transformation of labour and employment.
The three-year project involves scholars in a variety of disciplines at 10 universities, and collaborators from eight trade unions. They will analyze trends and patterns of change since 1986 and their effects on the well being and security of Canadian families. "Our research will help to inform union researchers and other policy makers about equity issues and how job restructuring and labour market transformation have affected skills, opportunities, access to work, and social citizenship," said CRWS Director Norene Pupo, York professor of sociology and principal researcher. "We will be considering the labour movement’s response to change as well as the transformation in public policy due to globalization."
While examining the proliferation of insecure and temporary work in the new economy, researchers will also investigate methods for creating quality work through public policy and employee participation. They will use Statistics Canada labour force, income, and workplace survey data to determine the extent of occupational and industrial change over the past two decades. Their analysis of specific sectors, such as manufacturing, producer services, hospitality, finance and banking, will result in a profile of the structure of the new economy in Canada and its international position.
Looking at the effect of the new economy on labour unions, the project will examine the formation of new labour alliances and methods of organizing workers. In education and training, research will focus on the needs of displaced workers and how these needs are being met. The effect on family structures and family life will focus on the shift in social policies, and the impact of deregulation and privatization of services.
Funding is provided by SSHRC under its Initiative on the New Economy, a program funded by the Government of Canada based on the belief that Canada’s competitive position in the new economy depends on strong government policy grounded in solid research and empirical evidence. Partner institutions in the CRWS research project are: Canadian Auto Workers; Canadian Labour Congress; Canadian Union of Postal Workers; Canadian Union of Public Employees; Centrale des syndicats du Quebec; Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada; Ontario Federation of Labour; Ontario Public Service Employees Union; Public Service Alliance of Canada; United Food and Commercial Workers; United Steel Workers of America-Canada.
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For further information, please contact:
| Prof. Norene Pupo, Director | Susan Bigelow |
| Centre for Research on Work & Society | Media Relations |
| York University | York University |
| 416-736-5612 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22091 |
| npupo@yorku.ca | sbigelow@yorku.ca |
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