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Renewed Trade Union Militancy in Belgium? An Analysis Based on Expenditure from the Strike Fund (CWK/ACV) during the Period 1974—2004

Author

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  • Albert Martens

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

  • Valeria Pulignano

    (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven)

Abstract

Measurement of workers' militancy has proved empirically to be a difficult task in Belgium. There are diverse traditional indicators and parameters but the interpretations of their extent and national effects are arguable. This article uses the expenditure of the `strike fund' in order to elaborate a measure of workers' militancy in Belgium. The strike fund data provided valuable information on the cross-sectoral level of workers' militancy and, thereby, confirmed some evidence with regard to the evolution of workers' combativeness. The case of Belgium is interesting. Since the 1980s, the numbers of strike days have fallen while the level of union membership has remained one of the highest in Europe. Is the decline of strikes in Belgium an irreversible process? Analysis of the national sector-based data on the strike funds suggests caution in predicting the withering away of strikes. Likewise, new forms of `proletarianization' are developing as the manifestation of a newly emergent industrial conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Albert Martens & Valeria Pulignano, 2008. "Renewed Trade Union Militancy in Belgium? An Analysis Based on Expenditure from the Strike Fund (CWK/ACV) during the Period 1974—2004," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 29(4), pages 437-466, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:29:y:2008:i:4:p:437-466
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X08096229
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