Europe. Worker perceptions of unions: political and social mindsets or national mindsets?
Tristan HAUTE
This article shows, through an analysis of data from the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) and in line with previous studies, that European workers' perceptions of unions are strongly linked to their job characteristics and political orientations. Unlike for union membership, the differences between countries are minor and not attributable to national institutional factors.
Keywords: Europe, unions, unionisation, opinion.
Germany. Revitalising social partnership in the “transformation” process
Gerhard BOSCH
The German model of social partnership has been cracked by the dualisation of the labour market but the “transformation” could allow its revitalisation. The evaluation of the future collective agreements in the metal and electrical industry shows a transition from “after-care” co-determination to strategic co-determination of the transformation only in those areas with strong trade unions and strong co-determination. But transformation and digitalisation were triggers for important reforms in collective bargaining and company policy and also in public policy: they provided the “narrative” for the need for a new policy agenda with strong involvement of the social partners.
Keywords : Germany, social partnership, transformation, digitalisation, future collective agreements.
Switzerland. Strategies of migrant labour management in logistics
Jacqueline KALBERMATTER
This article examines the importance of the control of migrant workers in the organisation of labour in the logistics sector. This control may be viewed as a type of control negotiated between management and workers with regard to the organisation of working processes, but which also aims to control living conditions of migrant labour. Taking the examples of two Swiss businesses with varying organisational structures, the article considers the specific form in which this control appears in those businesses.
Keywords: Switzerland, logistics, migrant labour, labour organisation, living conditions.
United Kingdom. Employment income: a series of shocks
Jacques FREYSSINET
Like the rest of the world, the United Kingdom has, since 2019, been hit by health and economic crises with repercussions for employment income. In the face of the pandemic, the government adopted measures broadly maintaining income levels. However, in 2022 and 2023, inflation brought about a purchasing power crisis, in turn causing social conflict of exceptional proportions. Today, the prospect of stagnation followed by weak growth prompts predictions that real pay will take until at least 2028 to recover to the level last seen in 2008 just before the financial crisis.
Keywords: United Kingdom, pay, minimum wage, pandemic, inflation, purchasing power.
United States. New collective bargaining agreements at the big three car manufacturers: an historic union victory
Catherine SAUVIAT
The UAW, under new management, has led six weeks of unprecedented strikes at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, coinciding with the renewal of their collective bargaining agreements. The ground gained during the negotiations, both in terms of pay and job security, is historic for the sector, notably in those categories least favourably placed in the pay scale (temporary and Tier 2 workers) and for unionised workers in future vehicle and battery assembly factories.
Keywords: United States, automotive, collective bargaining agreement, UAW, pay, jobs.