Full bibliography

Collective bargaining at 3 major supermarket chains in Ontario is examined. It is argued that the retail unions in the sector have a long history of business unionism which is no longer effective in the face of aggressive corporate demands for concessions. Unions are now unable to defend the full-time, and most secure, segment of their membership. Furthermore, the corporate drive for labor flexibility is rapidly expanding the part-time workforce and eroding wage levels. Because women are disproportionately represented in the low-wage part-time category and have the least access to full-time positions, they are the most vulnerable to corporate restructuring. The gender specific implications of restructuring are examined in an analysis of the recently province-wide strike at the Miracle Food Mart chain.