Book Reviews

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-131
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
London School ◽  
University Of Minnesota ◽  
Senior Lecturer ◽  
Birkbeck College ◽  
Social Partnership ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
London School Of Economics

John W. Budd of the Center for Human Resources and Labor Studies, University of Minnesota reviews “Trade Unions in Western Europe: Hard Times, Hard Choices”, by Rebecca Gumbrell-McCormick and Richard Hyman. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “Explores the challenges facing trade unions and their responses in ten west European countries—Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy. Discusses varieties of industrial relations and trade unionism; challenges and responses; renewing power resources—recruitment, representation, and mobilization; restructuring trade unionism—mergers and organizational redesign; bargaining in adversity—decentralization, social partnership, and the crisis; unions and politics—parties, alliances, and the battle of ideas; beyond national boundaries—unions, Europe, and the world; and reconciling strategy and democracy. Gumbrell-McCormick is Senior Lecturer in Management at Birkbeck College, University of London. Hyman is Emeritus Professor of Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.”

University of East Africa Conferences on Public Policy: II. East African Federation

1964 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-122
Author(s):  
Ronald Watts
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
East Africa ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
The United States ◽  
London School ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
Southern Rhodesia ◽  
London School Of Economics ◽  
The University

This was the second in a series of three conferences on public policy, organised by the University of East Africa and financed by the Ford Foundation, whose aim is to bring together policy-makers and academics for discussions on major public issues.In attendance were delegations, of at least a dozen each, from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanganyika, consisting mainly of Cabinet Ministers, parliamentary secretaries, other M.P.s, and civil servants, as well as representatives of public corporations, political parties, and trade unions. Small delegations from Ethiopia, Northern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesia, and Zanzibar were also invited. A group of 10 ‘visiting specialists’ from overseas with experience of federal systems and problems elsewhere were invited to take part. Among these were six economists: Ursula Hicks and Arthur Hazlewood from Oxford, Pitamber Pant of the Indian Planning Commission, Vladimir Kollontai from Moscow, Jan Auerhan from Prague, and Benton Massell (who was unable to attend but contributed a paper) from the United States. The others were a lawyer, S. A. de Smith from the London School of Economics, and three political scientists, Arthur MacMahon of Columbia University, A. H. Birch from Hull University, and myself. A group of a dozen ‘local specialists’ drawn mainly from E.A.C.S.O. and from the economists, lawyers, and political scientists at the University Colleges in East Africa also presented papers and played a significant role in the discussions. The total number of participants, including 22 observers, amounted to over 90.

scholarly journals Brazilian Trade Unions

2009 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Lang ◽  
Mona-Josée Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Union Leader ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Heavy Body ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Labour Legislation

Many analysts of Brazilian industrial relations share a determinist vision of the country’s trade unionism, according to which the unions maintain a paradoxical yet atavistic relationship with the heavy body of laws that provide them with advantages while limiting their freedom. We tested this vision by conducting field enquiries into the daily activities of two Brazilian unions: the ABC Metalworkers Union and the Seamstress Union for the Sao Paulo and Osasco Region. In this article, we present the results of our case studies and what they reveal about Brazilian trade unionism’s relationship with the labour legislation. We also briefly discuss former trade union leader and current President Lula’s recent attempts to reform the country’s labour relations system.

Laboratories of the new Europe: trade unions, employee interest representation and participation in foreign investment enterprises in central and eastern Europe

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-591
Author(s):  
Eckhard Voss
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
New Member States ◽  
Interest Representation ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Foreign Investment Enterprises

This article examines a number of aspects of the industrial relations practices of foreign investors in central and eastern Europe, focusing on trade union structures, employee interest representation, and consultation and social dialogue at the company level. Based on evidence from selected companies in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, the paper argues that the experiences of multinational companies with regard to employee interest representation and shop-floor trade unionism should be regarded as ‘laboratories of learning processes' which are not only having an impact on the ongoing transformation of industrial relations and corporate cultures in the new Member States but also on the whole of Europe, most notably the future shape of institutionalised employee participation.

Managerial Trade Unionism

1983 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Arthurs
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Balance Of Power ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
Union Activity ◽  
Trade Unionism

The development of trade unionism amongst managers poses a challenge to traditional conceptions of industrial relations. This paper discusses government policies towards managerial unionism and the justifications which have been put forward for restricting the trade union activity of managers. It argues that concern about managerial unionism is built upon three main assumptions: (a) managers will be faced with conflicting loyalties and placed in the impossible position of attempting to satisfy the contradictory demands of employer and union; (b) the unionisation of managers will lead to an unacceptable shift in the balance of power from employers towards trade unions; (c) the presence of managers will compromise the independence of trade unions. The conclusion is reached that the limitations which many governments place upon managerial unionism are based upon assumptions which, although not entirely without foundation, are generally incorrect.

scholarly journals Western Samoa Trade Unionism: the 1981 Public Service Strike

1970 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Snell
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
South Pacific ◽  
Value System ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Western Samoa ◽  
Western Values ◽  
Political Value ◽  
The Waves

I have used a proposition developed in Kerry Howe's seminal work Where the Waves Fall (1984) to offer an explanatory framework for understanding industrial relations in the South Pacific. The paper concentrates on applying this analysis to a key moment in Western Samoan industrial relations, the 1981 public service strike. The key concept used in this analysis is mutual adjustment. The concept refers to an interactive process between foreign institutions, such as trade unions, and pre-existing institutions and values like fa' a Samoa (the cultural and political value system of Western Samoa). While the 1981 strike, and South Pacific industrial relations in general, can be interpreted from a nwnber of pespectives rhe approach used in this paper may offer a method that does not obscure the full interplay between Western values and institutions and local forces.

Re-framing the debate on breakaway trade unions in an era of neoliberalism

2018 ◽  
pp. 153-170
Author(s):  
David Evans
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
The Political ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Political Narrative ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Contingent Approach ◽  
Union History ◽  
Labour Organisation

Breakaway unions have been a feature of labour organisation since the dawn of trade unionism. Despite this long history, the historiography of the subject remains undeveloped. The process of breaking away from an established union and setting up a rival organisation can be triggered by a range of impulses and inducements, fostered by both progressive and reactionary forces. On one level they can be considered a product of intra-union conflict, but a fuller understanding comes from viewing breakaways in the context of the broader economic and political circumstances in which they are embedded. The systematic remapping of the political and industrial relations landscape during the neoliberal epoch has brought into question the pluralist assumptions that have traditionally underpinned the notion of breakaway unions. Building from a historically-contingent approach, this chapter contends that the ideological onslaught unions have faced since the 1980s has encouraged division among union members and the breakaways that have emerged have generally given voice to a more moderate approach, sometimes couched in a ‘non-political’ narrative. In shining a light on the reasons behind these ideologically-motivated breakaways, this chapter contributes to the knowledge of this important but neglected area of trade union history.

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

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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