European labour movements in crisis

European labour movements in crisis PDF Author: Thomas Prosser
Publisher: Manchester University Press
ISBN: 152613666X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
In this book, Prosser argues that labour movements respond to European integration in a manner which instigates competition between national labour markets. It bases its hypothesis on analysis of four countries – Germany, Spain, France and Poland – and two processes: the collective bargaining practices of trade unions in the first decade of the Eurozone and the response of trade unions and social-democratic parties to austerity in Southern Europe. In the first process, although unions did not intentionally compete, there was a drift towards zero-sum outcomes which benefited national workforces in stronger structural positions. In the second process, during which a crisis resulting from the earlier actions of labour occurred, lack of solidarity reinforced effects of competition.

European labour movements in crisis

European labour movements in crisis PDF Author: Thomas Prosser
Publisher: Manchester University Press
ISBN: 152613666X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 278

Get Book

Book Description
In this book, Prosser argues that labour movements respond to European integration in a manner which instigates competition between national labour markets. It bases its hypothesis on analysis of four countries – Germany, Spain, France and Poland – and two processes: the collective bargaining practices of trade unions in the first decade of the Eurozone and the response of trade unions and social-democratic parties to austerity in Southern Europe. In the first process, although unions did not intentionally compete, there was a drift towards zero-sum outcomes which benefited national workforces in stronger structural positions. In the second process, during which a crisis resulting from the earlier actions of labour occurred, lack of solidarity reinforced effects of competition.

Confronting Crisis and Precariousness

Confronting Crisis and Precariousness PDF Author: Stefan Schmalz
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1786610485
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
The 2008 global financial crisis and the subsequent Eurozone crisis triggered dramatic changes in European labour relations. Unemployment and precariousness increased considerably. This was further exacerbated by austerity measures, leading to declining minimum wages and layoffs in the public sector. These structural changes varied considerably by country but collectively pose challenges to organized labour as they confront neoliberal restructuring. Concurrently, recent social struggles continue to develop with unemployed and precarious workers playing a major role as protest actors. Focusing on the triangular relationship of precariousness, trade unions and social movements, this book draws on a range of exciting cases, both comparative and country case studies, in order to understand how the shadow of the crisis still haunts organized labour in Europe. The chapters in this collection each offer a unique perspective on how the results of the crisis, in Western, Southern and Eastern Europe, are leading to a variety of new social movements as a consequence of increased precariousness and also how trade unions are attempting to respond.

Labour and Transnational Action in Times of Crisis

Labour and Transnational Action in Times of Crisis PDF Author: Andreas Bieler
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1783482796
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
Processes of neoliberal globalization have put national trade unions under pressure as the transnational organization of production puts these labour movements in competition with each other. The global economic crisis has intensified these pressures further. And yet, economic and political integration processes have also provided workers with new possibilities to organize resistance. Emphasizing the importance of agency, this book analyzes transnational labour action in times of crisis, historically and now. It draws on a variety of fascinating cases, across formal and informal collectives, in order to clarify which factors facilitate or block the formation of solidarity. Moving beyond empirical description of cases to an informed understanding of collective action across borders, the volume provides an insightful theorization of transnational action.

Labor Movements in the Common Market Countries

Labor Movements in the Common Market Countries PDF Author: Marguerite Guzman Bouvard
Publisher: New York : Praeger
ISBN:
Category : International labor activities
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
Comparison of labour movements in EC countries and the growth of an international trade union interest group in the face of Western Europe economic integration - describes the relations between the trade unions in the eec and the institutions of the eec, and examines the social policies of the EC, with particular respect to labour mobility, and the harmonisation of social security systems. Bibliography pp. 263 to 272, references and statistical tables.

The Crisis of Social Democratic Trade Unionism in Western Europe

The Crisis of Social Democratic Trade Unionism in Western Europe PDF Author: Martin Upchurch
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317036905
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
There is a developing crisis of social democratic trade unionism in Western Europe; this volume outlines the crisis and examines the emerging alternatives. The authors define 'social democratic trade unionism' and its associated party-union nexus and explain how this traditional model has been threatened by social democracy's accommodation to neo-liberal restructuring and public service reform. Examining the experience of Sweden, Germany, Britain and France, the volume explores the historical rise and fall of social democratic trade unionism in each of these countries and probes the policy and practice of the European Trade Union Confederation. The authors critically examine the possibilities for a revival of social democratic unionism in terms of strategic policy and identity, offering suggestions for an alternative, radicalized political unionism. The research value of the book is highlighted by its focus on contemporary developments and its authors' intimate knowledge of the chosen countries.

Solidarity with Solidarity

Solidarity with Solidarity PDF Author: Idesbald Goddeeris
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 0739150723
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
The Polish crisis in the early 1980s provoked a great deal of reaction in the West. Not only governments, but social movements were also touched by the establishment of the Iindependent Trade Union Solidarnosc in the summer of 1980, the proclamation of martial law in December 1981, and Solidarnosc's underground activity in the subsequent years. In many countries, campaigns were set up in order to spread information, raise funds, and provide the Polish opposition with humanitarian relief and technical assistance. Labor movements especially stepped into the limelight. A number of Western European unions were concerned about the new international tension following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the new hard-line policy of the US and saw Solidarnosc as a political instrument of clerical and neo-conservative cold warriors. This book analyzes reaction to Solidarnosc in nine Western European countries and within the international trade union confederations. It argues that Western solidarity with Solidarnosc was highly determined by its instrumental value within the national context. Trade unions openly sided with Solidarnosc when they had an interest in doing so, namely when Solidarnosc could strengthen their own program or position. But this book also reveals that reaction in allegedly reluctant countries was massive, albeit discreet, pragmatic, and humanitarian, rather than vocal, emotional, and political.

The Brave New World of European Labor

The Brave New World of European Labor PDF Author: Andrew Martin
Publisher: Berghahn Books
ISBN: 178920593X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
European union movements played a central role in promoting a "Europeanmodel of society", a humane industrial relations system, high labor standards, generous welfare states, and collective political representation which reached its pinnacle in the post-World War II era. The recent shift to lower growth, rising unemployment, renewed European integration, neo-liberalism, and globalization has challenged this "European Model" and the unions' place in it. These essays, written by some of the leading scholars in the field, examine responses of six major European union movements to the dramatic changes in economic and political conditions in the last two decades. They are the result of a group research effort and are based on a common framework which lends it quite an exceptional coherence.

EU Labour Migration in Troubled Times

EU Labour Migration in Troubled Times PDF Author: Béla Galgóczi
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317140230
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 309

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Book Description
The debate on the free movement of labour within the EU has gained new momentum in the wake of the economic crisis. Building on the earlier Ashgate publication EU Labour Migration Since Enlargement, the editors have assembled a team of experts from across Europe to shed light on the critical issues raised by internal labour mobility within the EU in the context of economic crisis and labour market pressures. The book's chapters tease out the links between economic developments, regulatory frameworks and migration patterns in different European countries. A central focus is on issues of skills and skills mismatch and how they relate to migration forms, duration and individual decisions to stay or return. Based on detailed analysis of European and national-level sources, the results presented clearly contradict assumptions about a "knowledge driven migration". Rather, over-qualification and the corresponding underutilisation of migrant workers' skills emerge as a pervasive phenomenon. At the same time the characteristics of migrants - not just skills, but socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes - and also their labour market integration are shown to be very diverse and to vary substantially between different sending and receiving countries. This calls for a differentiated analysis and raises complex issues for policymakers. Examples where policy has contributed to positive outcomes for both migrants and domestic workforces are identified. Unique in analysing labour migration flows within the European Union in a comparative manner putting skills into the centre and taking account of the effects of the economic crisis, while addressing policy concerns this is a valuable resource for academics, policymakers and practitioners alike.

Social Movements and Organized Labour

Social Movements and Organized Labour PDF Author: Jürgen R. Grote
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317053672
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 232

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Book Description
This book is about the building of alliances and about joint activities between two groups of social movement actors ascribed increasing relevance for the functioning and the eventual amendment of democratic capitalism. The chapters provide a well-balanced mix of theoretical and empirical accounts on the political, social and economic catalysts behind the changing motives finding expression in a multitude of novel types of joint collective action and inter-organizational alliances. The contributors to this volume go beyond attempting to place unions, movements, crises, precariousness, protests and coalitions at the centre of the research. Instead, they focus on actors who themselves transcend clear-cut social camps. They look at the values and motives underlying collective action by both types of actors as much as at their structural and strategic properties, and inter-organizational relations and networks. This creates a fresh, genuine and historically valid account of the incompatibilities and the commonalities of movements and unions, and of prospects for inter-organizational learning.

The Labour Movement in Europe

The Labour Movement in Europe PDF Author: Walter Kendall
Publisher: London : Allen Lane
ISBN:
Category : European Economic Community countries
Languages : en
Pages : 488

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Book Description
Monograph comprising a comparison of trends in respect of labour movements, trade unions and socialist political partys in seven EC countries - includes a bibliography pp. 421 to 441, diagrams, references and statistical tables.