Cross-border Trade Union Networks in Transnational Corporation: A comparison between sectors

This article analyses cross-border trade union networks in Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in the metal and chemical, garment, retail, and commercial banking sectors in Brazil. Conceptualized as global union responses to the growing reach of TNCs, such networks have been established in different settings in the country and have engaged major corporations outside of traditional industrial relations frameworks, venturing into the controversial field of social dialogue, corporate responsibility, and private governance. From different research backgrounds, our findings suggest that union networks in TNCs can be used to rearrange union prerogatives across different levels but remain embedded in previous institutional structures. In this sense, such unions incorporate existing union boundaries, including the exclusion of relevant groups of workers, even as they can scale up the scope of trade union action.

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Internationalization and the paradox of cross-border trade union cooperation

Paradoxes of internationalization ◽

10.2307/j.ctt1vwmfxt.11 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 160-190

Keyword(s):

Trade Union ◽

Cross Border ◽

Border Trade

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A problem of embeddedness

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-04-2017-0075 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (3) ◽

pp. 500-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Bernd Brandl ◽

Alex Lehr

Keyword(s):

Trade Union ◽

Trade Unions ◽

Autonomous Agents ◽

Industrial Relations ◽

Theoretical Framework ◽

Social Mechanisms ◽

Content Type ◽

Common Behaviour ◽

Union Action ◽

Transnational Trade

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a general micro-theoretical framework that helps to understand the embeddedness of trade unions within the European system of industrial relations, and the consequences of this embeddedness for industrial relations outcomes. First, starting from the paradoxical observation of a trend towards homogeneity within a complex, multi-layered European industrial relations system consisting of heterogeneous and autonomous agents, the paper aims to explicate the mechanisms which produce these similarities. Second, the paper seeks to analyse potential mechanisms for transnational trade union cooperation and, third, it concludes by outlining its applicability as the basis for methodological approaches which enable realistic and policy relevant analyses. Design/methodology/approach This paper is conceptual and focusses on the development of a general micro-theoretical framework which captures European industrial relations actors’ behaviour and outcomes. It integrates theoretical and empirical accounts from differing social science disciplines and from various methodological starting points on trade union action and interaction into one general micro-theoretical framework. Findings Starting from a typology of trade union goals, the authors show how various social mechanisms lead to interdependencies between trade unions and review empirical evidence for their consequences. The authors, then, identify a set of motives for transnational cooperation that would allow outcomes that are in line with trade union objectives. Originality/value Against the background that previous studies on trade union action and cross-national interaction have paid less attention to the puzzling stylised fact that industrial relations outcomes are mimicked by heterogeneous and autonomous agents actors in different countries, the authors address this research gap by developing a novel general micro-theoretical framework for the analysis of transnational trade union action and interaction in order to better understand the underlying causal mechanisms for the common behaviour and outcomes of autonomous actors.

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Looking for European solutions. Trade unions in Central and Eastern Europe striving for cross-border solidarity

Transfer European Review of Labour and Research ◽

10.1177/1024258920933117 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 307-323

Author(s):

Jan Czarzasty ◽

Sławomir Adamczyk ◽

Barbara Surdykowska

Keyword(s):

Eastern Europe ◽

Trade Union ◽

Trade Unions ◽

Western Europe ◽

Central And Eastern Europe ◽

Industrial Relations ◽

Common Interest ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Cross Border ◽

Uncertain Future

This article deals with the dilemmas faced by trade unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in the context of their relations with western European (EU-15) unions and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The issue of cross-border solidarity is re-examined, taking into account its historical meanings as well as current developments under the pressures of globalisation and EU integration. The article analyses key factors affecting East–West trade union relations – different views within the ETUC, discontinuities in European social dialogue, challenges faced by European works councils and the uncertain future of transnational company agreements. Major dilemmas CEE unions cope with vis-à-vis their western counterparts are outlined. The question of how to achieve a common interest platform for trade unions from Central and Eastern Europe and from western Europe is raised, followed by a suggestion that ‘downward convergence’ in industrial relations is bringing the two regions closer.

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