The response from Unions to challenges from both above and below: A cross-national comparison, 2007

This study is concerned with the trade unions’ status in a number of European societies. Trade unions are on the defensive; not only in Europe but globally. This is the result of a decline in membership, in public status, and in effectiveness in achieving their core objectives. Furthermore the decline in industrial conflict is seen as a contributing factor in weakening the position of the trade unions. The central themes of the study are: 1. The impact of globalization and of EU integration upon the balance between consonance and dissonance between union strategies and social attitudes among the actual and potential membership in EU member states. 2. The policies and strategies which trade unions are adopting to confront internationalization. What is the balance between convergence or divergence in these policies and strategies? While immediate responses to novel challenges are often defensive, can trade unions turn themselves into proactive, strategic actors? 3. Is there evidence of a process of organisational learning which encourages proactive, second-order strategies and meta-policies, rather than mere reactions to short-term problems? 4. How far do trade unions envisage a new, transnational institutional order: for example, a right to representation and bargaining inscribed into EU law or ILO conventions, safeguarding basic rights, and ensuring individual freedoms?