STRUCTURE AND DISPUTATION IN THE NEW-SOUTH-WALES COAL INDUSTRY, 1952-1987

The coal industry of New South Wales has been amongst the most strike- torn industries in Australia, and typically still has 15 times more st rikes than the state average. This article presents a historical study of this industry between 1952 and 1987, focusing on the major institu tional, technological, and market changes that have taken place in the industry during this time. The relationship between these changes and the levels of industrial disputation is then further investigated usi ng econometric analysis, in an attempt to explain the high levels of s trike activity.