Punching Out? An Analysis of the Changing Impact of Strikes in the post-WWII US Automotive Industry

Abstract: Drawing on a range of previously unused data to construct a data series of practically every strike in the US automotive industry from 1946-2002, this paper examines the changing relationship between strikes and wage determination in the post-war period. Drawing on the historical concept of the ‘labour-capital accord’ this study undertakes analysis on two sub-periods, 1946-1981 and 1982-2002. Through a multivariate time series analysis this study draws a number of findings that appear to contradict the current academic consensus around strikes and wages in the period after 1980. The study finds evidence of a positive strike-wage relationship for the whole period under examination.