The European Trade Union Confederation at the crossroads of change? Traversing the variable geometry of European trade unionism

Mathers, Andrew; Taylor, Graham

Abstract

There are growing indications that the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is undergoing a shift in strategic orientation from an exclusive focus on institutional 'social partnership' within the European Union towards a more campaigning 'social movement' model. This article explores two recent campaigns, on the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Convention on the Future of Europe, and considers how far these developments mark the emergence of a distinctive trade union identity at European level. The article concludes with examples of other areas where the ETUC could encourage 'internal dialogue' within European trade unionism and develop further a 'hybrid' transnational identity.

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2004
• Journal: European Journal of Industrial Relations
• Print ISSN: 0959-6801
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7129
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 267-285
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0959680104047021
• Keywords: European Trade Union Confederation, variable geometry, European trade unionism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1062789
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0959680104047021
• Additional Information: Additional Information : G Taylor was the lead author in the publications by Taylor & Mathers as indicated by the order in which the authors appear. Both authors made a substantial contribution although it is not possible to attribute a specific proportion to each author.