scholarly journals Leading from the Rear? A Theoretical Analysis of the Contingent Bureaucratic Conservatism of the NZCTU Leadership

1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Roper
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
National Government ◽  
Historical Research ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
Making Sense ◽  
Political Forces ◽  
Advanced Capitalism

Since it was established in 1987 the NZCTU has consistently failed to successfully oppose and defeat any of the major policy initiatives of the fourth Labour Government or the current National Government, even though these policies have clearly been detrimental to the interests of workers. In particular, during the period leading up to the passage of the ECA in May 1991 the NZCIV leadership failed to organise and lead the kind of generalised strike action that would, at the very least, have forced the National Government to substantially amend (if not withdraw) the legislation. In the industrial relations literature there have been remarkably few attempts (apart from the self-justifications of  those involved) to address the key question which this raises: why has the NZCTU leadership acted in such a conservative and timid manner in response to economic, social and industrial relations policies which are essentially pro-capitalist and anti-worker? Explanatory accounts of the conservatism of the NZCTIJ leadership, if they are to be convincing, must combine theoretical analysis of the contingent bureaucratic conservatism of fulltime trade union officials in the industrial relations systems of advanced capitalism with systematic historical research which disentangles the concrete interplay of economic, class, ideological and political forces specific to any particular dispute. This paper outlines the theory of the contingent bureaucratic conservatism of fulltime trade union officials, considers some of the major criticisms of this theory, and then argues that a qualified version of this theory is essential to making sense of the role played by the NZCFU leadership in industrial relations.

scholarly journals Leading from the Rear? A Theoretical Analysis of the Contingent Bureaucratic Conservatism of the NZCTU Leadership

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian S. Roper
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Making Sense

This article outlines the theory of the contingent bureaucratic conservatism of full-time trade union officials, considers some of the major criticisms of this theory, and then argues that a qualified version of this theory is essential to making sense of the role played by the NZCTU leadership in industrial relations.

scholarly journals COMMENTARY: Campaign for the Return to Free Wage Bargaining

1970 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Douglas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
National Government ◽  
Wage Bargaining ◽  
Economic Conditions ◽  
Trade Union Movement ◽  
Union Movement ◽  
Union Coverage ◽  
Total Environment

The trade union movement in New Zealand has had its fundamental right to bargain with its employees denied it since the last award round in 1981/82. In the time that has elapsed since awards were last negotiated the National Government attempted to radically alter the total environment within which wage negotiations were to be conducted. In the first instance legislation was introduced which removed the unqualified preference clauae from the Industrial Relations Act. Secondly, the National Government sought to reform the wage fixing system in a manner which would effectively see to it that economic conditions took precedence over wage equity in deciding rates of remuneration. Thirdly, the National Government canvassed the concept of changes to existing rules of union coverage so as to make possible the emergence of enterprise based unions and consequentially the development of enterprise based bargaining.

Legal Expertise: A Critical Resource for Trade Unionists? Insights into the Confédération Française Démocratique du Travail

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Guillaume
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Institutional Power ◽  
Collective Redress ◽  
Critical Resource ◽  
The Law ◽  
Legal Expertise

Abstract Based on in-depth qualitative research conducted in one of the major French trade unions (the CFDT), this article explores to what extent and under what conditions trade unions adopt different legal practices to further their members’ interests. In particular, it investigates how ‘legal framing’ has taken an increasingly pervasive place in trade union work, in increasingly decentralised industrial relations contexts, such as France. This article therefore argues that the use of the law has become a multifaceted and embedded repertoire of action for the CFDT in its attempt to consolidate its institutional power through various strategies, including collective redress and the use of legal expertise in collective bargaining and representation work.

The Trade Union Situation and Industrial Relations in Spain

ILR Review ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 307
Author(s):  
Walter Galenson
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Industrial Relations

Making sense of sequential lineups: An experimental and theoretical analysis of position effects

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 108-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent M. Wilson ◽  
Kristin Donnelly ◽  
Nicholas Christenfeld ◽  
John T. Wixted
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Position Effects ◽  
Sequential Lineups ◽  
Making Sense

scholarly journals Trade Union Practices in the EU and Latvia: Experience for Eastern Partnership Countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-118
Author(s):  
Sergejs Stacenko ◽  
Biruta Sloka
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Eastern Partnership ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Dialogue ◽  
Eastern Partnership Countries ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe article will show major dimensions in the experience of EU Member States that could be shared with the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The framework of the study is the EU concept of trade unions in social dialogue and social partnership in the public sector. This study outlines the concept of social dialogue as a core element of industrial relations and will focus on industrial relations specifically in the public sector. The authors have elaborated the approach to industrial relations and social dialogue taking into account comparative approach to definitions provided by international institutions such as ILO and OECD, as well as institutions in the EU and Latvia. Latvia is also a case study for Eastern Partnership countries as these countries and their trade unions are in a transition period from socialist structures to structures that possess liberal economies. Trade unions in these countries are members of the International Trade Union Confederation. The major transformation that trade unions underwent from being part of the socialist system and becoming an independent institution since Latvia regained independence in 1991 has been studied. The paper discusses the current developments related to the position of Latvian Free Trade Union Federation in the system of decision-making process related to the public administration management. Finally, the prospective role of trade unions in the EU and in Latvia is analysed and possible revitalisation of trade union is discussed. This approach could be applied to the Eastern Partners of the EU.

The promise of partnership

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-257
Author(s):  
Denis Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Trade Union ◽  
Human Resources Management ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Call Centre ◽  
Third Way ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Partnership Approach ◽  
Development Of Partnership

‘Partnership’ is a word that crops up with increasing frequency in government, trade union and management circles in the UK. For many it neatly embodies both the practice and sentiment of the so-called ‘third way’. In the workplace, a partnership approach to industrial relations has been offered as a neo-pluralist alternative to the unitarism of Human Resources Management. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is an active proponent of partnership and the government has created a fund to support the development of partnership at the workplace. This article sketches some theoretical underpinning for the practice of partnership. To shed some light on the prospects for partnership it draws on recent UK experience and includes a case study of the development of a partnership between UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, and Vertex Data Sciences, one of the fastest growing call centre operators in the UK.

A labour of Sisyphus: the quest for a great Labour Party

2018 ◽  
pp. 89-108
Author(s):  
Andrew Gamble
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Labour Party ◽  
National Government ◽  
The Way

A central historical progressive dilemmas is explored, in chapter four, by Andrew Gamble through a re-visiting of Marquand’s 1977 biography of Ramsay MacDonald. An extensive historical work, which sought to rescue MacDonald from the simplistic cries from his own party of betrayal for his heading of the coalition National Government in 1931, the book was also intended to offer clear lessons for what Marquand viewed as a Labour Party in the 1970s undermining itself though its class warfare, trade union sectionalism and doctrinal narrowness. Gamble argues that the dilemmas observed and lived out by both MacDonald and by Marquand, as his biographer, endured throughout the twentieth century and indeed remain unresolved today. Nearly one hundred years on, MacDonald offers insights into the way in which, in times arguably even more challenging than our own he grappled for an extended period with these delicate political balancing acts.

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