"This article looks at the relationships between trade unions and transnational companies, using a series of case studies into actual trade union practice in enterprises and looking at the level of adaptation both of ‘old' as well as ‘new' trade union organisations. The author's theme is how the range of new intra-organisational practices introduced by new owners influence the position of workers and of trade union participation in the regulation of labour relations, from the perspective of the extent to which these aggravate contradictions in the labour sphere. The operation of collective agreements is evaluated and the social role of trade unions in enterprises in practice is identified. The author concludes with a look at how trade unions in Russia are structured and at their relationships with members, as well as at the impact on their activities, both amongst the traditional and amongst the alternative trade union structures, of the arrival of transnational companies in the country – an event which has had unexpectedly positive results for trade union organisations."

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