Work and Labour Studies York University

Overview

Overview

York University has Canada’s largest and most renowned team of scholars in labour relations, work and global political economy.

The Work and Labour Studies BA program at York University explores what work is, who decides who does what, how workers respond to the conditions of the workplace, and the relationship of capital, the state and labour.

Key factors include:

• the economy
• globalization
• the changing nature of work and the workplace
• industrial relations
• gender
• class
• inequality
• how labour is portrayed by the media
• how politics is shaped by mass media and how workers' culture both informs and diverts class struggle

Our program’s strengths include labour law and labour policy, the future of work and employment, women and work, globalization and its impact on work and workers, and our unique fourth year placement course. Labour Studies also offers courses in collective bargaining that will prepare you for contemporary and relevant workplace situations.

You will be well prepared for employment in the labour movement, private industry, government service, journalism, public or private administration, social work, law or teaching. Many students go on to graduate work in political science, industrial relations and labour law.

• Students are strongly encouraged to enrol in a Work Placement in their final year. Applications can be made in the spring advising period (March-April) for placements in the fall-winter term.
• Join the Labour Studies Student Association. The association organizes events at York University, and advises the Program Coordinator about student interests and needs.
• Volunteer at the Working Student Centre. The Centre is run by student volunteers who offer advice to working students on workplace issues such as wages, vacation time and discrimination.
• Get involved with the Centre for Research on Work and Society. The Centre is a York research unit whose governing bodies consist of academics and trade unionists. Along with research and publication activities, the Centre sponsors conferences, workshops and publishes working papers of interest to labour studies students.

Possible Career Paths

• Career counsellor
• Industrial relations manager
• Labour market researcher
• Occupational health and safety officer
• Labour policy analyst
• Union organizer