Radical Unions in Europe and the Future of Collective Interest Representation

Beschreibung

This book analyses contemporary trends in radical unionism in Europe. It contains nine country case-studies that probe the limits and possibilities of trade union renewal and focus on radical activity. It assesses the degree to which we are witnessing the emergence of ‘radical political unionism’ as an alternative model of European trade unionism.
This book analyses contemporary trends in radical unionism in Europe. It contains nine country case-studies that probe the limits and possibilities of trade union renewal with a focus on radical activity. The editors follow a broad definition of radical unionism, including trade union organisations that can be characterised as radical either in terms of ideology and political identity or in terms of organising and mobilising activity. The ongoing economic crisis and consequent austerity measures, and employers’ strategies for increasing labour market flexibility have encouraged the deregulation of capitalism in Europe. The question this book asks is whether radicalised unionism, political action and grassroots activism present opportunities for union renewal and collective interest representation in this economic context. This question is examined in nine national contexts with diverse industrial relations frameworks and trade unions. The editors assess the degree to which we are witnessing the emergence of ‘radical political unionism’ as an alternative model of trade unionism in Europe, focused on class struggle, engagement in social movement activity beyond the workplace, and politicised union strategies aligned to new left-wing political formations.

Autor*in

Heather Connolly

Themen in »Radical Unions in Europe and the Future of Collective Interest Representation«

capitalism Collective Connolly economic crisis Europe Future ideology Interest political identity Radical radical unionism Representation Unions

Stimmen zu »Radical Unions in Europe and the Future of Collective Interest Representation«

«Radical Unions is the first major survey of different forms and expressions of union radicalism in the current crisis, however broadly defined its key term. Like any interesting book on a complex subject, it raises as many questions as it answers, and the editors are therefore to be congratulated for assembling a thought-provoking collection.»
(John Kelly, International Journal of Employment Relations)
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