This study evaluates private-sector labour relations laws by examining provincial laws (which cover the overwhelming majority of Canadian workers) and federal laws in Canada, and federal and state laws in the United States in 2008.4 The study evaluates the extent to which labour relations laws achieve balance and flexibility in the labour market. [...] Jurisdictional differences Prior to the examination of labour relations laws in Canada and the United States, it is important to recognize that there is a marked difference between the two countries in terms of the level of government responsible for the regulation of labour relations. [...] The National Labor Relations Board decides whether the purchaser is a successor employer by taking into account a number of factors including the number of employ- ees taken over by the purchasing employer, the similarity in operations and product of the two employers, the manner in which the purchaser integrates the purchased operations into its other operations, and the character of the bargaini [...] Whether the purchaser is a successor employer is dependent on several factors, including the number of employees taken over by the purchasing employer, the similarity in operations and product of the two employers, the manner in which the purchaser integrates the pur- chased operations into its other operations, and the character of the bargaining relationship and agreement between the union and t [...] The ability to disrupt the operations of third parties means that the union and workers have the ability to affect not only the employer covered by the collective agreement but also any other company doing business with the primary firm and pressure from these third parties may force the employer to settle a strike instead of addressing the reasons for the strike.