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The trade union merger process in Europe: defensive adjustment or strategic reform?
Author(s) -
Waddington Jeremy
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
industrial relations journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.525
H-Index - 3
eISSN - 1468-2338
pISSN - 0019-8692
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2338.2006.00425.x
Subject(s) - process (computing) , business , trade union , international trade , scale (ratio) , outcome (game theory) , international economics , single market , european union , economics , computer science , microeconomics , physics , quantum mechanics , operating system
In most Member States of the European Union, trade unionists are reforming trade union structures through engagement in the merger process. This article charts the scale of the merger process since 2000 and identifies the key features of the unions that result from it. The article assesses the outcome of the merger process by reference to aspects of trade union purpose. While much of the merger process is shown to be defensive, particular mergers are highlighted as comprising features that may assist in the renewal of trade union organisation.