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Understanding global union repertoires of action

Author

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  • Michele Ford
  • Michael Gillan

Abstract

Unlike national trade unions, which operate within country‐specific industrial relations systems, Global Unions have an international mandate and multi‐scalar positionality. As a consequence, their repertoires of action and the opportunity structures available to them differ from those of national unions. Drawing on qualitative interview data and fieldwork observations, we propose a typology of different strategic domains used by the Global Union Federations (GUFs), which identifies their characteristics, scale and constraints. We then discuss two cases that illustrate how complementary strategies of (a) engaging in incremental innovation and (b) combining repertoires from different strategic domains have supported the GUFs' desire to play a stronger role as global labour governance intermediaries.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Ford & Michael Gillan, 2022. "Understanding global union repertoires of action," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(6), pages 559-577, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:53:y:2022:i:6:p:559-577
    DOI: 10.1111/irj.12386
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jirjahn, Uwe, 2024. "Corporate Globalization and Worker Representation," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1369, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
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    3. Michele Ford & Michael Gillan, 2026. "The Global Union Federations and their affiliates: Constrained agency in action," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 47(1), pages 173-195, February.

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