International Cooperation of Young Trade Union Members. Can it Help to Increase the Level of Unionization Among Young Workers?
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Abstract
Youth structures of trade unions are increasingly collaborating internationally. This is one of the union leaders' response to two fundamental problems: the falling union density in EU countries and the gap between the generations which is related to the low participation of young people in trade unions. This article attempts to analyze the international cooperation of young members of European trade unions. There are different forms of cooperation more or less formalized. International projects are also helpful. The aim of these initiatives is to create network and cooperation between young unionists and to increase their knowledge and skills in trade union activity, both at national and international level. For the purposes of this article, representatives of the various bodies were asked in the interviews about issues related to the international cooperation of young trade union members, including the themes of the various activities, types of projects being implemented, their effectiveness, and barriers which exist in the international cooperation of young union members. Experts were also asked about potential of such cooperation to tackle the problem of low density among young workers.
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Szymański, M. (2018). International Cooperation of Young Trade Union Members. Can it Help to Increase the Level of Unionization Among Young Workers?. Warsaw Forum of Economic Sociology, 9(17), 7–34. Retrieved from https://econjournals.sgh.waw.pl/wfes/article/view/1885
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References
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Booth E. J., Budd J.W., Munday K.M. (2010), ‘First-timers and late-bloomers: youth−adult unionization differences in a cohort of the U.S. labor force’, ILR Review 64(1): 53−73
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Chiarini B. (1999), ‘The Composition of Union Membership: The Role of Pensioners in Italy’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 37(4): 577–600
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Gumbrell-McCormick R. (2011), ‘European Trade Unions and Atypical Workers’, Industrial Relations Journal, 42(3): 293−310
Haynes P., Vowles J., Boxall P. (2005), ‘Explaining the Younger–Older Worker Union Density Gap: Evidence from New Zealand’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 43(1): 93–116
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Lesch H. (2004), ‘Trade union density in international comparison’, CESifo Forum 5 (4): 12−18
Le Queux, S. (2000), Young people and Trade Unions: International Overview and Australian Perspective, Working Paper. Employment Studies Centre: University of Newcastle, Australia
Kerr A., Waddington J. (1997), Unions for Young Workers? A UNISON Survey of Young workers
Kretsos L. (2010), Trade Union Responses to the rise of precarious employment among young people in Southern Europe, A study prepared for the IIRA Congress 2010 in Copenhagen, 28th June – 1st July
Machin S. (2004), Factors of convergence and divergence in union membership, British Journal of Industrial Relations 42(3): 423–438
Morris B. (1986), A Dangerous Gulf, Youthaid Bulletin, Issue 28
Naylor, R.A. (1989), Strikes, free riders and social customs, Quarterly Journal of Economics 104: 771−785
Oliver D. (2005), Young people, unions, strategies, 13th September 2005, http://evatt.org.au/news/young-people-unions-strategies.html [accessed 1 November 2017]
Payne J. (1989), ‘Trade Union Membership and Activism Among Young People in Great Britain’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 27(1): 111–132
Pedersini R. (2010), Trade Union Strategies to Recruit New Groups of Workers, Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Peetz D. (2010), ‘Are Individualistic Attitudes Killing Collectivism?’, Transfer 16 (3): 383–398
Pollert A., Tailby S. (2009), Young Workers, Vulnerability at Work and Union Organising, Paper presented at Seventh International Conference in Memory of Professor Marco Biagi, Modena, Italy, 19−21 March
Pulignano V., Doerflinger N. (2014), Belgian trade unions and the youth: initiatives and challenges, report prepared in the framework of project ‘YOUnion’
Rueda D., Insider–Outsider Politics in Industrialized Democracies: The Challenge to Social Democratic Parties, American Political Science Review, Vol. 99, No. 1 February 2005: 61−74
Sanchez L. D. (2007), Explaining union membership of temporary workers in Spain: the role of local representatives and workers’ participative potential, Industrial Relations Journal 38(1): 51−69
Schnabel C. (2012), Union Membership and Density: Some (Not So) Stylized Facts and Challenges. IZA Discussion Paper 6792
Schnabel C., Wagner J. (2007), Union Density and Determinants of Union Membership in 18 EU countries: Evidence from Micro-data 2002/03, Industrial Relations Journal, 38 (1): 5–32
Schnabel C., Wagner J. (2008), The Aging of the Unions in West Germany, 1980–2006, IZA Discussion Paper 3661
Serrano Pascual A., Waddington J. (2000), Young people: the labour market and trade unions, Research prepared for the Youth Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation
Tailby S., Pollert A. (2011), ‘Non-unionised young workers and organising the unorganized’, Economic and Industrial Democracy 32 (3): 499−522
Unite the Union, report “Our time is now, Young people and unions: lessons from overseas’, 2013
Vandaele, K. (2012), Youth representatives’ opinions on recruiting and representing young workers. A twofold unsatisfied demand?, European Journal of Industrial Relations 18 (3): 203–218
Vandaele, K. (2013), ‘Union responses to young workers since the Great Recession in Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden: are youth structures reorienting the union agenda?’, Transfer, 19(3): 381−397
Van de Vall M. (1970), Labor Organizations: A Macro- and Micro-Sociological Analysis on a Comparative Basis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Visser, J. (2002), Why fewer workers join unions in Europe. A social custom explanation of membership trends, British Journal of Industrial Relations 40(3): 403−430
Waddington J. (2014), ‘Trade union membership retention and workplace representation in Europe’, Working Paper 10, European Trade Union Institute
Waddington J., Kerr A. (2002), ‘Unions Fit for Young Workers?’ Industrial Relations Journal 33 (4): 298–315
Wadditigton J., Whitston C. (1997), ‘Why Do People Join Unions in a Period of Membership Decline?’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 35(4): 515−546
Allvin, M. and Sverke, M. (2000), Do New Generations Imply the End of Solidarity? Swedish Unionism in the Era of Individualization, Economic and Industrial Democracy21(1): 71−95
Bailey, J. and P., Robin A. and E., Linda P. (2009), Marketing unions to young people: recruiting and ‘rusting on’, in: Labour, Capital and Change – Proceedings of the 23rd Conference of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand, 4–6 February, Newcastle, Australia
Bernaciak M., Gumbrell-McCormick R., Hyman R. (2014), European trade unionism: from crisis to renewal?, ETUI Report 133
Biddle D., Croce N., LeQueux S., Rowe D., and Stevenson D. (2000), Young people's attitudes to trade unions: A study prepared for the Newcastle Trades Hall Council Newcastle: Employment Studies Centre, University of Newcastle
Blanchflower D. G. (2007), ‘International Patterns of Union Membership’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 45 (1): 1–28
Blanden J. Machin S. (2003), ‘Cross-Generation Correlations of Union Status for Young People in Britain’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 41(3): 391–415
Booth E. J., Budd J.W., Munday K.M. (2010), ‘First-timers and late-bloomers: youth−adult unionization differences in a cohort of the U.S. labor force’, ILR Review 64(1): 53−73
Bryson A., Gomez R., Gunderson M., Meltz N. (2001), ‘Youth-Adult Differences in the Demand for Unionisation: Are American, British, and Canadian Workers All That Different?’ Centre for Economic Performance discussion paper 0515, London: London School of Economics and Political Science
Castiglioni G. (2012), ‘Young People and Trade Unions: New Challenges for a Generational Change’, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences 3 (10): 69–72
Chiarini B. (1999), ‘The Composition of Union Membership: The Role of Pensioners in Italy’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 37(4): 577–600
Dundon T. (2002), ‘Employer opposition and union avoidance in the UK’, Industrial Relations Journal Volume 33(3): 234–245
Ebbinghaus B. (2002), ‘Trade unions’ changing role: membership erosion, organisational reform, and social partnership in Europe’, Industrial Relations Journal 33(5): 465–483
Ebbinghaus B., Göbel C. and Koos S. (2011), Social Capital, ‘Ghent’ and workplace contexts Matter: Comparing Union Membership in Europe, European Journal of Industrial Relations, 17 (2): 107–124.
European Commission (2014), Industrial Relations in Europe 2014, Chapter 4: Industrial relations and youth employment
European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW) (2016), Report Just Go for It! A compendium of best practices from all over Europe on involving young people in trade unions
Fontes M., Margolies K. (2010), ‘Youth and unions’, Cornell University ILR School Working Papers, http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/workingpapers/104 (accessed: 20 September 2017)
Diamond W., Freeman R., (2003), Young Workers and Trade Unions. In: Representing Workers: Union Recognition and Membership in Britain (The Future of Trade Unions), London: Routledge: 29-50
Dribbusch H. (2015), ‘Where is the European general strike? Understanding the challenges of trans-European trade union action against austerity’, Transfer 21(2): 171–185
Gardawski J. (2011), Związki zawodowe: teoria i empiria, referat przygotowany na seminarium NBP, http://www.nbp.pl/home.aspx?f=/badania/seminaria_2011.htm [accessed: 1 November 2017]
Gomez, R., Gunderson, M., Meltz, N. (2002), The desire for unionisation amongst youth and adults in Canada. London: LSE Research Articles, http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/archive/00000363/ [accessed: 19.10.2017]
Gumbrell-McCormick R. (2011), ‘European Trade Unions and Atypical Workers’, Industrial Relations Journal, 42(3): 293−310
Haynes P., Vowles J., Boxall P. (2005), ‘Explaining the Younger–Older Worker Union Density Gap: Evidence from New Zealand’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 43(1): 93–116
Hyman, R. (1997), ‘Trade unions and interest representation in the context of globalisation’, Transfer, Vol. 3, No. 3: 515−533
Kahmann M. (2002), Trade Unions and Young People − Challenges of the changing age composition of unions, DWP 2002.02.02, report prepared for ICFTU
Keune, M. (2013), Trade union responses to precarious work in seven European countries. International Journal of Labour Research 5(1): 59−78.
Keune, M. (2015), ‘Trade unions, precarious work and dualisation in Europe’, in: Eichhorst, W. and Marx, P. (eds.) Non-standard Employment in Post-Industrial Labour Markets
Lesch H. (2004), ‘Trade union density in international comparison’, CESifo Forum 5 (4): 12−18
Le Queux, S. (2000), Young people and Trade Unions: International Overview and Australian Perspective, Working Paper. Employment Studies Centre: University of Newcastle, Australia
Kerr A., Waddington J. (1997), Unions for Young Workers? A UNISON Survey of Young workers
Kretsos L. (2010), Trade Union Responses to the rise of precarious employment among young people in Southern Europe, A study prepared for the IIRA Congress 2010 in Copenhagen, 28th June – 1st July
Machin S. (2004), Factors of convergence and divergence in union membership, British Journal of Industrial Relations 42(3): 423–438
Morris B. (1986), A Dangerous Gulf, Youthaid Bulletin, Issue 28
Naylor, R.A. (1989), Strikes, free riders and social customs, Quarterly Journal of Economics 104: 771−785
Oliver D. (2005), Young people, unions, strategies, 13th September 2005, http://evatt.org.au/news/young-people-unions-strategies.html [accessed 1 November 2017]
Payne J. (1989), ‘Trade Union Membership and Activism Among Young People in Great Britain’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 27(1): 111–132
Pedersini R. (2010), Trade Union Strategies to Recruit New Groups of Workers, Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Peetz D. (2010), ‘Are Individualistic Attitudes Killing Collectivism?’, Transfer 16 (3): 383–398
Pollert A., Tailby S. (2009), Young Workers, Vulnerability at Work and Union Organising, Paper presented at Seventh International Conference in Memory of Professor Marco Biagi, Modena, Italy, 19−21 March
Pulignano V., Doerflinger N. (2014), Belgian trade unions and the youth: initiatives and challenges, report prepared in the framework of project ‘YOUnion’
Rueda D., Insider–Outsider Politics in Industrialized Democracies: The Challenge to Social Democratic Parties, American Political Science Review, Vol. 99, No. 1 February 2005: 61−74
Sanchez L. D. (2007), Explaining union membership of temporary workers in Spain: the role of local representatives and workers’ participative potential, Industrial Relations Journal 38(1): 51−69
Schnabel C. (2012), Union Membership and Density: Some (Not So) Stylized Facts and Challenges. IZA Discussion Paper 6792
Schnabel C., Wagner J. (2007), Union Density and Determinants of Union Membership in 18 EU countries: Evidence from Micro-data 2002/03, Industrial Relations Journal, 38 (1): 5–32
Schnabel C., Wagner J. (2008), The Aging of the Unions in West Germany, 1980–2006, IZA Discussion Paper 3661
Serrano Pascual A., Waddington J. (2000), Young people: the labour market and trade unions, Research prepared for the Youth Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation
Tailby S., Pollert A. (2011), ‘Non-unionised young workers and organising the unorganized’, Economic and Industrial Democracy 32 (3): 499−522
Unite the Union, report “Our time is now, Young people and unions: lessons from overseas’, 2013
Vandaele, K. (2012), Youth representatives’ opinions on recruiting and representing young workers. A twofold unsatisfied demand?, European Journal of Industrial Relations 18 (3): 203–218
Vandaele, K. (2013), ‘Union responses to young workers since the Great Recession in Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden: are youth structures reorienting the union agenda?’, Transfer, 19(3): 381−397
Van de Vall M. (1970), Labor Organizations: A Macro- and Micro-Sociological Analysis on a Comparative Basis, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Visser, J. (2002), Why fewer workers join unions in Europe. A social custom explanation of membership trends, British Journal of Industrial Relations 40(3): 403−430
Waddington J. (2014), ‘Trade union membership retention and workplace representation in Europe’, Working Paper 10, European Trade Union Institute
Waddington J., Kerr A. (2002), ‘Unions Fit for Young Workers?’ Industrial Relations Journal 33 (4): 298–315
Wadditigton J., Whitston C. (1997), ‘Why Do People Join Unions in a Period of Membership Decline?’, British Journal of Industrial Relations 35(4): 515−546