Law and Intergenerational Relationships: Comparing Labor Case Law in the United States, Canada, and Israel. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doron, Israel; Lowenstein, Ariela; Biggs, Simon
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied gerontology. Volume 36:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 295
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: intergenerational justice -- elder law -- labor law -- jurisprudential gerontology -- geriatric jurisprudence; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 362.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0733464815581480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0733-4648

Abstract

Background: In any aging society, the sociolegal construction of intergenerational relationships is of great importance. This study conducts an international comparison of a specific judicial issue: whether active labor unions have the legal right to strike for the purpose of improving the benefits given to nonactive workers (specifically, pensioners).Method: A comparative case law methodology was used. The texts of three different Supreme Court cases—in the United States, Canada, and Israel—were analyzed and compared.Findings: Despite the different legal outcomes, all three court rulings reflect a disregard of known and relevant social gerontology theories of intergenerational relationships.Conclusion: Social gerontological theories can play an important role in both understanding and shaping judicial policies and assisting the courts in choosing their sociojudicial narratives.