Abstract
Challenges to unions worldwide are often framed in a strategic tension between
enterprise unionism on one hand, and mobilisation for unions’ continued relevance
under neoliberal global capitalism on the other. However, research in a New Industrial Zone (NIZ) in India reveals a complex picture: a variety of unions across firms
that are not always explained by existing definitions and models. Alongside political
and enterprise unions, a third dimension emerges out of new forms of grassroots
community links rooted in the living areas of workers. This paper argues for a
socio-historical institutional analysis of union–worker–firm–state relations under the
new political economy of a NIZ, with a focus on workers’ experiences and living
areas, in order to explain the varied structures and strategies of unions.
enterprise unionism on one hand, and mobilisation for unions’ continued relevance
under neoliberal global capitalism on the other. However, research in a New Industrial Zone (NIZ) in India reveals a complex picture: a variety of unions across firms
that are not always explained by existing definitions and models. Alongside political
and enterprise unions, a third dimension emerges out of new forms of grassroots
community links rooted in the living areas of workers. This paper argues for a
socio-historical institutional analysis of union–worker–firm–state relations under the
new political economy of a NIZ, with a focus on workers’ experiences and living
areas, in order to explain the varied structures and strategies of unions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 168-184 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2010 |
Keywords
- Workers voices
- MNCs
- Trade union
- India
- Auto sector
