Problems of plant closures and worker relocation : a case study of James Island, B.C.
Date
1981
Authors
Lacroix, Roland A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study examines various factors (age, race, education, etc.) affecting the reemployment opportunities of 94 workers who were displaced by the Canadian Industries plant closure on James Island, B.C. in September, 1978. The closure is viewed in this thesis as a consequence of the process of capitalist development.
A questionnaire survey of the displaced workers was conducted, some informal interviews were held and the historical development of the island was examined. Findings of the survey are compared to earlier studies undertaken in this field.
The majority of displaced workers were relatively young, most had some high school and a little over half had some form of skill. The major drawback was the nature of their work, i.e. the production of explosives. The findings reveal that older workers with a high level of skill had no difficulty in obtaining employment. This is contrary to the results of earlier studies concerning the age factor; though in general no studies examined the combined effect of age and skill. The survey also discovered that the majority of young workers, because of a relatively high educational level, found reemployment. This in turn, confirms the findings of earlier works, that education and skill are key factors in the reemployment of displaced workers. The study notes that the majority of workers had a strong community attachment, were reluctant to relocate and had to make an industrial or occupational change. The one noticeable exception was skilled tradesmen whose skills are transferable to other work places. These findings largely confirm the results of other previous studies.
The severest economic hardships were experienced by a number of older workers and Native Indians. Most Native Indians were still unemployed one year following the plant closure. Overall a little over half of the displaced workers were not fully employed one year later. This also confirms earlier findings that government and private agencies are ineffective in finding reemployment for displaced workers.