Chris Rhomberg and Steven Lopez (2021) “Understanding Strikes in the 21st Century” Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change

Rhomberg, Chris and Steven Lopez. 2021. “Understanding Strikes in the 21^st Century: Perspectives from the USA.” Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change 44: 37-62.

Abstract

After decades of declining strike rates in the industrialized world, recent years have seen a surge of militant walkouts in the global South, political strikes in Europe, and unconventional strikes in nonunion sectors in the United States. This new diversity of strike action calls for a new theoretical framework. In this paper, we review the historical strengths and limits of traditions of strike theory in the United States. Building on the emerging power resources approach, we propose a model based on a multidimensional view of associational power, power resources, and arenas of conflict in the economy, state, and civil society. We demonstrate the utility of our approach via a case analysis of strikes in the “Fight for $15” campaign in the United States.

Chris Rhomberg (2020) “The Struggle for a New Labor Regime: The U.S.” Tempo Social

Rhomberg, Chris. 2020. “The Struggle for a New Labor Regime: The U.S.” Tempo Social (Sao Paolo, Brazil) 32(1): 99-118. 

Tempo Social

Print version ISSN 0103-2070On-line version ISSN 1809-4554

Tempo soc. vol.32 no.1 São Paulo Jan./Apr. 2020  Epub May 11, 2020

https://doi.org/10.11606/0103-2070.ts.2020.164863 

DOSSIÊ – SINDICALISMO E NEOLIBERALISMO

The struggle for a new labor regime: The US

A luta por um novo regime de trabalho: o caso norte-americano

Chris Rhomberg^* 
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0662-0521

^*Fordham University, Bronx, NY, Estados Unidos.

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ABSTRACT

This essay examines the American labor movement since the 2008 economic crisis. I begin with a brief review of the structural, institutional, and organizational conditions for labor before the crisis, including changes in employment and the labor force, the conflict between New Deal and anti-union labor regimes, and the emergence of new repertoires in the labor movement. These form the context for the financial crash, and the failure of policy to challenge corporate power. I then discuss the conservative political offensive against unions and movement initiatives at state and local levels. The conflicts have intensified under the Trump administration, with a resurgence of strike activity and the polarization of institutions governing labor and civic life.

Key words: USA; Unions; Great recession; Strikes

Pablo Pérez Ahumada (2021) “Why Is It So Difficult to Reform Collective Labour Law?” Journal of Latin American Studies

Pérez Ahumada, Pablo. 2021. “Why Is It So Difficult to Reform Collective Labour Law? Associational Power and Policy Continuity in Chile in Comparative Perspective.” Journal of Latin American Studies 53(1): 81-105.

Abstract

Since Chile returned to democracy in 1990, centre-left governments have tried to reform the provisions on collective bargaining, strikes and unions established by the Pinochet dictatorship. Between 2015 and 2016 President Michelle Bachelet made the latest attempt to reform them. Despite favourable conditions, the changes were modest. This article explains why this is so. Drawing upon the notion of ‘associational power’ and through comparisons with labour reforms in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, this article suggests that the imbalance between workers’ and employers’ collective power is key for explaining why pro-labour reforms fail.

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Spanish abstract

Desde que Chile retornó a la democracia en 1990, gobiernos de centro-izquierda han tratado de reformar las estipulaciones sobre pactos colectivos, huelgas y sindicatos establecidos por la dictadura de Pinochet. Entre 2015 y 2016 la presidenta Michelle Bachelet hizo el último intento por reformarlas. Pese a existir condiciones favorables, los cambios fueron modestos. Este artículo explica por qué. Partiendo de la noción de ‘poder de asociación’ y mediante comparaciones con reformas laborales en Argentina, Brasil y Uruguay, este artículo sugiere que el desequilibrio entre el poder colectivo de los trabajadores y el de los empleadores es clave para explicar por qué las reformas en pro de los trabajadores han fracasado.

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Portuguese abstract

Desde o retorno do Chile à democracia em 1990, governos de centro-esquerda tentam reformar as medidas sobre negociações coletivas, greves e sindicatos, estabelecidas durante a ditadura de Pinochet. Entre 2015 e 2016, a presidente Michelle Bachelet realizou a última tentativa de reforma. Apesar do momento apresentar condições favoráveis, as mudanças foram apenas modestas. Este artigo explica as razões pelas quais isso aconteceu. Mobilizando o conceito de ‘poder de associação’ e comparando a reforma chilena com as reformas trabalhistas na Argentina, Brasil e Uruguai, o artigo sugere que o desequilíbrio entre o poder coletivo dos trabalhadores e dos empregadores é a chave para compreender o fracasso das reformas pró-trabalhadores.

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Keywords

collective labour lawlabour reformassociational poweremployersworkersChilelegislación del pacto colectivoreforma laboralpoder de asociaciónempleadorestrabajadoresChilelei de trabalho coletivoreforma trabalhistapoder de associaçãoempregadorestrabalhadoresChile

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Type

Research Article

Information

Journal of Latin American Studies , Volume 53 , Issue 1 , February 2021 , pp. 81 - 105

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022216X20000978[Opens in a new window]

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Anders Kjellberg (2021) “The Shifting Role of Unions in the Social Dialogue.” European Journal of Workplace Innovation

Kjellberg, Anders. 2021. “The Shifting Role of Unions in the Social Dialogue.” European Journal of Workplace Innovation 6(1-2): 220-44.

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2021): Special Double Issue: European Approaches to Sustainable Work

Published: 2021-03-05

Corey Dolgon and Reuben Roth (2020) “Labor Education Programs" (ch. 30)

Dolgon, Corey and Reuben Roth. 2020. “Labor Education Programs: Radical Beginnings, McCarthyist Backlash, and the Rise of Neoliberal Education.” Ch. 30 in The Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education, 2020 Edition, edited by Tonette S. Rocco, M Cecil Smith, Robert C. Mizzi, Lisa R. Merriweather and Joshua D. Hawley. Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing.

Timothy Black and Corey Dolgon (2020) “Zombie Sociology,” Critical Sociology

Black, Timothy and Corey Dolgon. 2020. “Zombie Sociology: Why Our Discipline Is so Susceptible to the Undead” Critical Sociology, pp. 1-8. First published 28 September. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0896920520961808