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.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.Contents: Craig Phelan: The Future of European Unions: Radical Prospects? – Martin Upchurch/Andy Mathers/Graham Taylor: Towards Radical Political Unionism? – Heather Connolly: Trade Union Radicalism in France: The Renewal of Radicalism in the Context of Crisis and Austerity? – Ralph Darlington: Britain: Striking Unionism With a Political Cutting Edge – Paul Stewart: The Independent Workers’ Union: Class, Nation and Oppositional Labour Movements in Ireland from 1900 to the Celtic Tiger – Carlos J. Fernández Rodríguez/Rafael Ibáñez Rojo/Miguel Martínez Lucio: Radical Trade Unionism in Spain: The Re-Invention and Re-Imagination of Autonomy and Democracy Within and Around the Union Movement During the Past Century – Elanor Colleoni/Stefania Marino/Manuela Galetto: Radical Unionism in Italy - Back to the Future: Fiom and Chainworkers – Lefteris Kretsos: The Wind of Austerity in the Sails of Radicalism: The Greek Example – Alan Stoleroff: Radical Trade Unionism in Portugal: Between Maximalist Vanguardism and Ongoing Radicalisation – Adam Mrozowicki/Piotr Antoniewicz: Radical Trade Unions in Poland: The Meanings and Mechanisms of Union Radicalisation in a Post-Socialist Capitalism – László Neumann: Hungarian Unions: Toward Assuming Political Roles.«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)Heather Connolly is Senior Lecturer in the Department of HRM at Leicester Business School, De Montfort University.
Lefteris Kretsos is Senior Lecturer of Employment Relations and HRM and an active member of the Workplace Employment Research Unit (WERU) at the University of Greenwich.
Craig Phelan is Professor of Modern History at Kingston University London and editor of the journal Labor History.CH