IS STRIKE BEHAVIOR CYCLICAL

We examine cyclicality of strike frequency and incidence, using Canadi an data on strikes and contracts. Total strike frequency exhibits sign ificant procyclicality, to which within-contract strikes contribute ap preciably. Evidence is weaker for procyclical behavior of contract-exp iry strikes, both in total and disaggregated by issue. Strike incidenc e is also procyclical, particularly in manufacturing, though the pro-c yclicality here is confined to strikes over nonwage issues. These resu lts mirror those obtained by analyzing the frequency of strikes in the contract data. Industry-specific cyclical variables positively affect strike incidence in manufacturing, but region-specific variables have no effect.