Labour: From national resistance to international politics

New Political Economy

Volumn 2, Issue 1, 1997, Pages 93-104

  Stevis, Dimitris ^a   Boswell, Terry ^b  

^a Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences   (United States)

^b EMORY UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 0347585405     PISSN: 13563467     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/13563469708406287     Document Type: Article

References (68)

1. Renato Ruggiero, 'The Road Ahead: International Trade Policy in the Era of the World Trade Organization', report by the Director-General of the WTO, 28 May 1996 (WTO website: http://www.unicc.org:80/wto/welcome.html; wto/ whats new/press49.html) (emphasis added).
2. For two discussions that focus on the ideology/mythology of neoliberalism, see Scott Bowman, 'The Ideology of Transnational Enterprise', Social Science Journal, Vol. 30, No. 1 (1993), pp. 47-68; and Claire A. Cutler, 'Global Capitalism and Liberal Myths: Dispute Settlement in Private International Trade Relations', Millennium, Vol. 24, No. 3 (1995), pp. 377-97. Our use of neoliberalism is closer to what Robert Cox calls 'hyperliberalism'. See Production, Power and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of History (Columbia University Press, 1987), ch. 8.
3. For two discussions that focus on the ideology/mythology of neoliberalism, see Scott Bowman, 'The Ideology of Transnational Enterprise', Social Science Journal, Vol. 30, No. 1 (1993), pp. 47-68; and Claire A. Cutler, 'Global Capitalism and Liberal Myths: Dispute Settlement in Private International Trade Relations', Millennium, Vol. 24, No. 3 (1995), pp. 377-97. Our use of neoliberalism is closer to what Robert Cox calls 'hyperliberalism'. See Production, Power and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of History (Columbia University Press, 1987), ch. 8.
4. For two discussions that focus on the ideology/mythology of neoliberalism, see Scott Bowman, 'The Ideology of Transnational Enterprise', Social Science Journal, Vol. 30, No. 1 (1993), pp. 47-68; and Claire A. Cutler, 'Global Capitalism and Liberal Myths: Dispute Settlement in Private International Trade Relations', Millennium, Vol. 24, No. 3 (1995), pp. 377-97. Our use of neoliberalism is closer to what Robert Cox calls 'hyperliberalism'. See Production, Power and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of History (Columbia University Press, 1987), ch. 8.
5. For critical discussions of globalisation as concept and reality, see The Group of Lisbon, Limits to Competition (MIT Press, 1995); and Andrew Hurrell & Ngaire Woods, 'Globalisation and Inequality', Millennium, Vol. 24, No. 3 (1995), pp. 447-70.
6. For critical discussions of globalisation as concept and reality, see The Group of Lisbon, Limits to Competition (MIT Press, 1995); and Andrew Hurrell & Ngaire Woods, 'Globalisation and Inequality', Millennium, Vol. 24, No. 3 (1995), pp. 447-70.
7. See 'Los "ricos" lanzan una nueva asociacion para el desarrollo', Presencia (Bolivia), 30 June 1996, p. 12; 'Paises ricos temen que la globalizacion de la economia agrave la desigualdad y pobreza', La Razón (Bolivia), 30 June 1996, p. B8.
8. See 'Los "ricos" lanzan una nueva asociacion para el desarrollo', Presencia (Bolivia), 30 June 1996, p. 12; 'Paises ricos temen que la globalizacion de la economia agrave la desigualdad y pobreza', La Razón (Bolivia), 30 June 1996, p. B8.
9. Eric Leser, 'Les pays du G7 jugent "essentielle" une meillure surveillance des risques du marché', Le Monde, 2 July 1996, p. 21; Paul Lewis, 'Keeping the tap open for thirsty economies', New York Times, 4 October 1996, p.C3.
10. Eric Leser, 'Les pays du G7 jugent "essentielle" une meillure surveillance des risques du marché', Le Monde, 2 July 1996, p. 21; Paul Lewis, 'Keeping the tap open for thirsty economies', New York Times, 4 October 1996, p.C3.
11. Ruggiero, 'The Road Ahead', p. 1.
12. Michael Gold, 'An overview of the social dimension', in: Gold (Ed.), The Social Dimension: Employment Policy in the European Community (Macmillan, 1993), ch. 1;
13. Martin Rhodes, 'A regulatory conundrum: industrial relations and the social dimension', in: Stephan Leibfried & Paul Pierson (Eds), European Social Policy: Between Fragmentation and Integration (The Brookings Institution, 1995), pp. 78-122.
14. For an overview of NAFTA and its labour provisions, see Ian Robinson, North American Trade as if Democracy Mattered: What's Wrong with NAFTA and What are the Alternatives? (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and International Labour Rights Education and Research Fund, 1993).
15. From 1980 to 1988, unionisation rates have declined an average of 14.6 per cent in the industrial core countries and many continued to decline in the early 1990s. Of the 13 countries for which we have comparable data, the biggest decline was 36.8 per cent in France (which at 12 per cent in 1988, and less than 10 per cent now, is the least unionised core country), followed by a 28.7 per cent drop in the USA. Only Norway (+0.4 per cent) and Sweden (+6.6 per cent) bucked the trend. These and other data are from Walter Galenson, Trade Union Growth and Decline: An International Study (Praeger, 1994).
16. See Jeremy Brecher & Tim Costello, Global Village or Global Pillage? Economic Reconstruction from the Bottom Up (South End Press, 1994), ch. 7. The insights of this work have informed much of this essay.
17. Peter Waterman, 'The New Internationalisms: A More Real Thing than Big, Big Coke?', Review, Vol. 11, No. 3 (1988), pp. 289-328. Peter Waterman's work has been dedicated to international labour politics.
18. Jelle Visser & L. Ebbinghaus, 'Making the most of diversity? European integration and transnational organization of labour', in: J. Greenwood, J.R. Grote & K. Ronit (Eds), Organized Interests in the European Community (Sage, 1992), pp. 206-37.
19. Jeffrey Harrod, Power, Production and the Unprotected Worker (Columbia University Press, 1987).
20. For stimulating discussions, see J.R. Cowie, The Search for a Transnational Discourse for a North American Economy: A Critical Review of US Labor's Campaign against NAFTA, Latin American Labor Occasional Paper No. 22, Center for Labor Research and Studies, Florida International University, 1995; and Craig S. Benjamin & Terisa E. Turner, 'Counterplanning from the Commons: Labour, Capital and the "New Social Movements"', Labour, Capital and Society, Vol. 25, No. 2 (1992), pp. 218-48.
21. For stimulating discussions, see J.R. Cowie, The Search for a Transnational Discourse for a North American Economy: A Critical Review of US Labor's Campaign against NAFTA, Latin American Labor Occasional Paper No. 22, Center for Labor Research and Studies, Florida International University, 1995; and Craig S. Benjamin & Terisa E. Turner, 'Counterplanning from the Commons: Labour, Capital and the "New Social Movements"', Labour, Capital and Society, Vol. 25, No. 2 (1992), pp. 218-48.
22. Peter Waterman, 'Social Movement Unionism: A New Model for a New World Order?', Review, Vol. 16, No. 3 (1993), pp. 245-78; Benjamin & Turner, 'Counterplanning from the Commons'.
23. Peter Waterman, 'Social Movement Unionism: A New Model for a New World Order?', Review, Vol. 16, No. 3 (1993), pp. 245-78; Benjamin & Turner, 'Counterplanning from the Commons'.
24. Philippe Lemaitre, 'Bruxelles a réuni une table ronde pour mobiliser les partenaires sociaux sur un "pacte européen pour l'emploi"', Le Monde, 30 April 1996, p. 2.
25. For German developments, see Lucas Delattre, 'Les syndicats rassemblent 250 000 personnes contre le plan gouvernemental allemand d'austérité', Le Monde, 10 September 1996, p. 3;
26. Delattre, 'Le parlement allemand adopte le volet social du plan d'austérité du gouvernement', Le Monde, 15-16 September 1996, p. 5;
27. 'German unions fight cuts in sick pay by companies', New York Times, 2 October 1996, p. C7;
28. Edmund Andrews, 'German industry agrees to discuss sick-pay cuts', New York Times, 9 October 1996, p. C6.
29. On French strikes, see the various articles under: 'La grande revolte française contre l'Europe libérale', Le Monde Diplomatique, No. 502 (January, 1996).
30. On the renewed activism of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), see 'La COB quiere unidad originaria, obrera y popular', Presencia (Bolivia), 27 June 1996, p. 3. The government-supporting Confederación de Trabajadores Mexicanos (CTM) has become so compromised to its rank and file that it had to cancel its May Day parades in 1995 and 1996. Julia Preston, 'Labor march shows split in unions'. New York Times, 2 May 1996, p. A7. The renewed austerity measures in Argentina are shaking the foundations of President Menem's Peronist alliance. See Calvin Sims, 'Argentina stops for a day as millions strike', New York Times, 28 September 1996, p. 5.
31. On the renewed activism of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), see 'La COB quiere unidad originaria, obrera y popular', Presencia (Bolivia), 27 June 1996, p. 3. The government-supporting Confederación de Trabajadores Mexicanos (CTM) has become so compromised to its rank and file that it had to cancel its May Day parades in 1995 and 1996. Julia Preston, 'Labor march shows split in unions'. New York Times, 2 May 1996, p. A7. The renewed austerity measures in Argentina are shaking the foundations of President Menem's Peronist alliance. See Calvin Sims, 'Argentina stops for a day as millions strike', New York Times, 28 September 1996, p. 5.
32. On the renewed activism of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), see 'La COB quiere unidad originaria, obrera y popular', Presencia (Bolivia), 27 June 1996, p. 3. The government-supporting Confederación de Trabajadores Mexicanos (CTM) has become so compromised to its rank and file that it had to cancel its May Day parades in 1995 and 1996. Julia Preston, 'Labor march shows split in unions'. New York Times, 2 May 1996, p. A7. The renewed austerity measures in Argentina are shaking the foundations of President Menem's Peronist alliance. See Calvin Sims, 'Argentina stops for a day as millions strike', New York Times, 28 September 1996, p. 5.
33. During the 1980s South Korean unionisation rose by 72 per cent and that of Taiwan by 46 per cent. Mexico's unionisation also rose by 18 per cent. Galenson, Trade Union Growth and Decline. The militancy of South Korean unions has been central to that country's democratisation. The possibility that the Brazilian Workers Party could win the presidency has been a major concern of local and international elites for a number of years.
34. 'Los "ricos" lanzan una nueva asociacion para el desarrollo'; 'Paises ricos temen que la globalizacion de la economia agrave la desigualdad y pobreza'.
35. Klaus Schwab & Claude Smadja, 'Davos: mondialisation et responsabilité sociale', Le Monde, 17 July 1996, p. 10.
36. On international labour politics and corporate responses since the mid-1960s, see Burton Bendiner, International Labour Affairs: The World Trade Unions and the Multinational Companies (Clarendon Press, 1987).
37. Jean Saignes (Ed.), Histoire du Syndicalisme Dans le Monde: Des origines as nos jours, (Editions Privat, 1994), ch. 21; 'Los sindicatos recobran su espiritu de lucha', Presencia (Bolivia), 23 June 1996, p. 4;
38. Jean Saignes (Ed.), Histoire du Syndicalisme Dans le Monde: Des origines as nos jours, (Editions Privat, 1994), ch. 21; 'Los sindicatos recobran su espiritu de lucha', Presencia (Bolivia), 23 June 1996, p. 4;
39. Alain Frachon, 'Offensive de la Confédération internationale des syndicats libres contre le "marché mondial"', Le Monde, 28 June 1996, p. 2.
40. Brecher & Costello, Global Village or Global Pillage?; Lance Compa, '... and the twain shall meet? A North-South controversy over labor rights and standards', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 51-65.
41. Brecher & Costello, Global Village or Global Pillage?; Lance Compa, '... and the twain shall meet? A North-South controversy over labor rights and standards', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 51-65.
42. John P. Windmuller, International Trade Secretariats: The Industrial Trade Union Internationals (US Department of Labor, Bureau of International Affairs, 1995); A. Banks, 'Taking on the Global Boss: An Interview with Ron Garver of the IUF [International Union of Food and Allied Workers' Associations]', Labor Research Review, No. 21 (1993), pp. 57-69; D. Catherine Sanchez, 'LRR Focus: Solidarity NOT Charity', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 30-33.
43. John P. Windmuller, International Trade Secretariats: The Industrial Trade Union Internationals (US Department of Labor, Bureau of International Affairs, 1995); A. Banks, 'Taking on the Global Boss: An Interview with Ron Garver of the IUF [International Union of Food and Allied Workers' Associations]', Labor Research Review, No. 21 (1993), pp. 57-69; D. Catherine Sanchez, 'LRR Focus: Solidarity NOT Charity', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 30-33.
44. John P. Windmuller, International Trade Secretariats: The Industrial Trade Union Internationals (US Department of Labor, Bureau of International Affairs, 1995); A. Banks, 'Taking on the Global Boss: An Interview with Ron Garver of the IUF [International Union of Food and Allied Workers' Associations]', Labor Research Review, No. 21 (1993), pp. 57-69; D. Catherine Sanchez, 'LRR Focus: Solidarity NOT Charity', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 30-33.
45. Larry Cohen, 'Mobilizing Internationally: Global Employee Network pressures Multinational to reverse Anti-union Strategy', Labor Research Review, No. 21 (1993), pp. 47-55; Jon Pattee, 'Sprint and the Shutdown of La Conexion Familiar: A Union-hating Multinational finds Nowhere to Run', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 13-21.
46. Larry Cohen, 'Mobilizing Internationally: Global Employee Network pressures Multinational to reverse Anti-union Strategy', Labor Research Review, No. 21 (1993), pp. 47-55; Jon Pattee, 'Sprint and the Shutdown of La Conexion Familiar: A Union-hating Multinational finds Nowhere to Run', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 13-21.
47. Kim Moody & Mary McGinn, Unions and Free Trade: Solidarity vs Competition (A Labor Notes Book, 1992), pp. 50-1. These authors are participants in international labour politics.
48. Information provided to authors by Julio Cesar Guerrero, TIE/North America, 12 June 1996.
49. We are not saying that the labour movement in the North has the answers but that, because of its strategic position, it must change. In fact, the unions of the North can and should learn a great deal from those of a number of rapidly industrialising countries, such as South Korea, the Philippines, South Africa, Brazil or Argentina. Iram Jacome Rodrigues, 'The CUT [United Workers Central of Brazil]: New Unionism at a Crossroads', NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 28, No. 6 (1995), pp. 30-34; Kim Scipes, 'Understanding the New Labor Movements in the "Third World": The Emergence of Social Movement Unionism', Critical Sociology, Vol. 19, No. 2 (1992), pp. 81-101; and Rosalind Boyd et al. (Eds), International Labour and the Third World: The Making of a New Working Class (Avebury, 1987).
50. We are not saying that the labour movement in the North has the answers but that, because of its strategic position, it must change. In fact, the unions of the North can and should learn a great deal from those of a number of rapidly industrialising countries, such as South Korea, the Philippines, South Africa, Brazil or Argentina. Iram Jacome Rodrigues, 'The CUT [United Workers Central of Brazil]: New Unionism at a Crossroads', NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 28, No. 6 (1995), pp. 30-34; Kim Scipes, 'Understanding the New Labor Movements in the "Third World": The Emergence of Social Movement Unionism', Critical Sociology, Vol. 19, No. 2 (1992), pp. 81-101; and Rosalind Boyd et al. (Eds), International Labour and the Third World: The Making of a New Working Class (Avebury, 1987).
51. We are not saying that the labour movement in the North has the answers but that, because of its strategic position, it must change. In fact, the unions of the North can and should learn a great deal from those of a number of rapidly industrialising countries, such as South Korea, the Philippines, South Africa, Brazil or Argentina. Iram Jacome Rodrigues, 'The CUT [United Workers Central of Brazil]: New Unionism at a Crossroads', NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 28, No. 6 (1995), pp. 30-34; Kim Scipes, 'Understanding the New Labor Movements in the "Third World": The Emergence of Social Movement Unionism', Critical Sociology, Vol. 19, No. 2 (1992), pp. 81-101; and Rosalind Boyd et al. (Eds), International Labour and the Third World: The Making of a New Working Class (Avebury, 1987).
52. Gold, 'An overview of the social dimension'; Rhodes, 'A regulatory conundrum'.
53. Gold, 'An overview of the social dimension'; Rhodes, 'A regulatory conundrum'.
54. Mark Hall et al., European Works Councils: Planning for the Directive (Eclipse Group/University of Warwick Industrial Research Unit, 1995); The Conference Board, Implementing European Works Councils: A Council Report (The Conference Board, 1995).
55. Mark Hall et al., European Works Councils: Planning for the Directive (Eclipse Group/University of Warwick Industrial Research Unit, 1995); The Conference Board, Implementing European Works Councils: A Council Report (The Conference Board, 1995).
56. For a discussion of the ETUC's organisational and political development, see Visser & Ebbinghaus, 'Making the most of diversity?; see also Carsten Stroby Jensen, Jorgen Steen Madsen & Jesper Due, 'A Role for a Pan-European Trade Union Movement? Possibilities in European IR-Regulation', Industrial Relations Journal, Vol. 26, No. 1 (1995), pp. 4-18.
57. For incisive accounts of the state of international labour politics in North America, see Barry Carr, 'Labor Internationalism in the Era of NAFTA: Past and Present', Latin American Labor Occasional Paper No. 14, Center for Labor Research and Studies, Florida International University, 1995; S. Hecker, 'US Unions, Trade and International Solidarity: Emerging Issues and Tactics', Economic and Industrial Democracy, No. 14 (1993), pp. 355-67.
58. For incisive accounts of the state of international labour politics in North America, see Barry Carr, 'Labor Internationalism in the Era of NAFTA: Past and Present', Latin American Labor Occasional Paper No. 14, Center for Labor Research and Studies, Florida International University, 1995; S. Hecker, 'US Unions, Trade and International Solidarity: Emerging Issues and Tactics', Economic and Industrial Democracy, No. 14 (1993), pp. 355-67.
59. For UAW negotiations, see Keith Bradsher, 'Big labor with a smaller agenda', New York Times, 13 September 1996, p. Cl. The October 1996 CAW strike is indicative of the continuing differences between the two unions. While the CAW advocates a type of social unionism, the UAW is more business unionist in its orientation. This attitude continues to be challenged from within.
60. On grassroots collaboration, see Moody & McGinn, Unions and Free Trade, ch. 8; Dan La Botz & Julio Cesar Guerrero, 'Union Democracy Movement Barred from Ballot at Ford-Mexico Plant', Labor Notes, October 1996, p. 5.
61. On grassroots collaboration, see Moody & McGinn, Unions and Free Trade, ch. 8; Dan La Botz & Julio Cesar Guerrero, 'Union Democracy Movement Barred from Ballot at Ford-Mexico Plant', Labor Notes, October 1996, p. 5.
62. On the FLOC experience, see Valdemar Velasquez, 'Don't waste Time with Politicians - Organize', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 45-49. On the UE/FAT strategic alliance, see R. Alexander & P. Gilmore, 'The Emergence of Cross-border Solidarily', NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 28, No. 1 (1994), pp. 42-48, 51. The FAT, the UE and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have now established a workers' centre in the border city of Ciudad Juarez. This centre will offer training and will build solidarity through practical, worker-empowering activities.
63. On the FLOC experience, see Valdemar Velasquez, 'Don't waste Time with Politicians - Organize', Labor Research Review, No. 23 (1995), pp. 45-49. On the UE/FAT strategic alliance, see R. Alexander & P. Gilmore, 'The Emergence of Cross-border Solidarily', NACLA Report on the Americas, Vol. 28, No. 1 (1994), pp. 42-48, 51. The FAT, the UE and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have now established a workers' centre in the border city of Ciudad Juarez. This centre will offer training and will build solidarity through practical, worker-empowering activities.
64. Carey Goldberg, 'Hispanic groups prepare to march to Washington', New York Times, 9 October 1996, p. A10.
65. On the priorities of John Sweeney, the new President of the AFL-CIO, see Steven Greenhouse, 'Labor chief asks business for a new "social compact"', New York Times, 7 December 1995, p. A10; G. Pascal Zachary, 'Chief AFL-CIO organizer to try civil-rights tactics', Wall Street Journal, 8 February 1996, p. B1. For the formation and programme of the Labor Party, see Labor Party Press, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1996).
66. On the priorities of John Sweeney, the new President of the AFL-CIO, see Steven Greenhouse, 'Labor chief asks business for a new "social compact"', New York Times, 7 December 1995, p. A10; G. Pascal Zachary, 'Chief AFL-CIO organizer to try civil-rights tactics', Wall Street Journal, 8 February 1996, p. B1. For the formation and programme of the Labor Party, see Labor Party Press, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1996).
67. On the priorities of John Sweeney, the new President of the AFL-CIO, see Steven Greenhouse, 'Labor chief asks business for a new "social compact"', New York Times, 7 December 1995, p. A10; G. Pascal Zachary, 'Chief AFL-CIO organizer to try civil-rights tactics', Wall Street Journal, 8 February 1996, p. B1. For the formation and programme of the Labor Party, see Labor Party Press, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1996).
68. For background on recent Mexican labour politics, see James G. Samstad & Ruth Berins Collier, 'Mexican labor and structural reform under Saunas: new unionism or old stalemate?', in: Riordan Roett (Ed.), The Challenge of Institutional Reform in Mexico (Lynne Rienner, 1995), pp. 9-37.