Documents Hyman, Richard 60 results

"Trade unions in most of Europe are on the defensive: in recent decades they have lost membership, sometimes drastically; their collective bargaining power has declined, as has their influence on government; and in many countries, their public respect is much diminished.
This book 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. Based on a substantial number of interviews with key union representatives and academic experts in each country, together with the collection of a large amount of union documentation and background material, the book gives an account of how trade unionism has evolved in each country, the main recent challenges that unions have faced, and their responses. The book engages with the debates of the past two decades on union modernization and revitalization, and more generally with theories of institutional change and the literature on varieties of capitalism.
Some observers ask whether unions remain relevant socio-economic actors, but challenging times can stimulate new thinking, and hence provide new opportunities. This book aims to show why trade unions are (still) important subjects for scientific analysis: first, as a means of collective 'voice' allowing employees to challenge management control and bringing a measure of balance to the employment relationship; second, as a form of 'countervailing power' to the socio-economic dominance of capital; and third, their potential as a 'sword of justice' to defend the weak, vulnerable and disadvantaged, express a set of values in opposition to the dominant political economy, and offer aspirations for a different—and better—form of society."

" International trade union organisations, like unions at national level, commonly affirm their commitment to internal democracy. But what does this mean? There exists a vast literature on union democracy, addressing the questions whether democracy in trade unions is desirable; whether it is possible; and if so, how it can be achieved. However, the focus of analysis is almost exclusively at the national (or sub-national) level, with the premise that union members are individual workers. But international unions (like many national confederations indeed) do not have individual workers as members: they are organisations of organisations. What does this imply for our understanding of union democracy? We begin our article by summarising the broader literature on union democracy, then develop an interpretation of international unions as ‘meta-organisations'. We next explore some of the implications for debates on democracy at international level, and end by asking whether theories of deliberative democracy can help in understanding the options for international union democracy."

"This article compares and contrasts international trade unionism in its formative stages with patterns today. It identifies a continuing tension between an ‘agitator' model (internationalism from below) and a bureaucratic model (internationalism from above). With the construction of an architecture of international institutions, notably the International Labour Organisation, another variant emerged: the labour diplomat. It is argued that none of these models on its own is adequate: the future of effective internationalism requires a synthesis of these often contradictory elements."

"Often, perhaps too often, the history of organisations is written without due attention given to the actors involved in their construction. This book shows how the role that trade unions play on the European stage is constantly being shaped by internal dynamics, specific political contexts, and disparate national realities.

It mainly covers, but also reaches beyond, the period of 2003-2015, corresponding to the mandates of General Secretaries John Monks and Bernadette Ségol of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). This work is a historical fresco depicting not only the political scene of the period but, more particularly, the continuous formation of an international organisation out of its national affiliates – rich in their diversity but thus also diverse in their structures, traditions and strategies.

The book traces the major political debates in the EU at the beginning of the 21st century, as seen through the trade union prism: the revision of the European treaties, enlargement to include the countries of central and eastern Europe, and the economic governance of the EU. It then goes on to look at issues linked to the core business of European trade unionism: social policy, employment, social dialogue, environmental challenges and the international dimension. Readers are offered an insight beyond the slogans into the complex process of strategy and consensus-building in the service of a more social Europe."

"In June 2016, a small majority of voters called for Britain to leave the EU. In this article, we discuss the referendum itself and the form which Brexit may take. It has become clear that the current UK government is committed to a ‘hard' Brexit which will rupture most existing ties with the EU. While much uncertainty remains, there are alarming indications that ‘regaining sovereignty' – a key slogan of the Brexit campaign – will translate into abject subservience to the most erratic right-wing US administration in history. We examine the implications of Brexit for labour rights in general and for British trade union participation in European Works Councils in particular: there are many reasons for apprehension. We assess the economic and political fall-out, and end by exploring possible consequences for international trade union solidarity in Europe. In general, trade union policy-makers in Europe are committed to resisting ‘divide-and-rule' strategies by employers, but there will undoubtedly be tensions."

"In gran parte d'Europa, i diritti e le protezioni sociali conquistati nei decenni post-bellici sono stati gravemente erosi e ora ulteriormente minacciati dall'austerità neoliberista. Gli sforzi per resistergli sono stati finora ampiamente vani, ma un'efficace controffensiva è possibile? In questo articolo l'Autore delinea innanzitutto il ruolo dell'Ue quale elemento chiave per una rimercificazione del lavoro attraverso la sua crescente enfasi sulle libertà di mercato quale assoluta priorità, e sulla competitività co- me obiettivo politico centrale per i governi nazionali. L'Autore evidenzia come questo orientamento sia stato rafforzato dalla crisi economica, conducendo alla conseguente ricerca dell'austerità, con l'mposizione della nuova governance economica. Passa poi in rassegna alcune forme di protesta e opposizione, sia a livello sindacale sia di iniziative dei «nuovi» movimenti sociali. Suggerisce quindi un'attenta valutazione del loro successo e del loro fallimento. Infine sostiene che un'efficace articolazione delle di- verse forme di resistenza – transnazionali e fra differenti attori – sia essenziale al fine di arginare l'egemonia neoliberale."

"The employer-employee relationship involves the right to command on the one hand, the duty to obey on the other. Is democracy at work possible? This article explores some of the contrasting understandings of industrial democracy over time and across countries, discusses how the historical advance of rights and citizenship at work has been reversed under neoliberalism, and ends by considering how labour movements might fight to regain the achievements of previous decades. "

"The author outlines three scenarios for the future of industrial relations in Europe. The first – perhaps the most realistic – projects continuing erosion of national industrial relations systems and conditions of employment, in line with current trends. The second envisages that “elite reform” from above will succeed in re-engineering industrial relations and workers' protection according to an ideal social policy agenda – an unlikely prospect given the overriding importance of financial considerations and globalized competition. The third scenario centres on a counter-movement from below which presents trade unions with the daunting challenge of mobilizing the discontented far beyond their traditional constituency."