Bieler,
Andreas (2012) ‘“Workers of the world, unite?” Globalisation and
the quest for transnational solidarity’, Globalizations, Vol.9/3: 365-78.
As a result of the transnational organisation of production across
borders and an increasing informalisation of work, trade unions find it
ever more difficult to represent the interests of their members and
broader society. This work assesses both the possibilities and obstacles
for trade unions to build transnational, intra-, and inter-movement
solidarity. The agency of labour is analysed against the background of
structural change in the global economy as well as the fundamental
dynamics of capitalism. Two main strategies initiated within the World
Social Forum spaces are explored: those of ‘Decent Work, Decent Life’
headed by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and related
organisations and focusing on side agreements to free trade treaties,
and initiatives by the Labour and Globalisation Network to increase
cooperation with social movements.
