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The contradictory effects of neoliberalization on labour relations: The health and social work sectors

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  • Jonathan Preminger

Abstract

The Israeli doctors’ and social workers’ campaigns of 2011 had many characteristics in common, but very different results. This article asserts that the differences stem from the different modes of privatization in the two sectors which reflect the importance of each sector in the neoliberal capital accumulation regime, which in turn affects the outcome of the workers’ struggles. While neoliberalism may undermine organized labour in general, it has uneven effects, benefiting some workers and undermining others. Thus we should pay attention to how privatization is implemented in different public sectors within the same country to better understand ‘actually existing neoliberalism’.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Preminger, 2016. "The contradictory effects of neoliberalization on labour relations: The health and social work sectors," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 37(4), pages 644-664, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:37:y:2016:i:4:p:644-664
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X14550423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Harvey, 2007. "Neoliberalism as Creative Destruction," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 610(1), pages 21-44, March.
    2. Jonathan Preminger, 2013. "Activists face bureaucrats: the failure of the Israeli social workers' campaign," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(5-6), pages 462-478, November.
    3. James Peoples & Bin Wang, 2007. "Privatization and Labor Cost Savings: Evidence from Health Care Services," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 35(2), pages 145-157, June.
    4. Jörg Flecker & Christoph Hermann, 2011. "The liberalization of public services: Company reactions and consequences for employment and working conditions," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 32(3), pages 523-544, August.
    5. Thorsten Schulten & Torsten Brandt & Christoph Hermann, 2008. "Liberalisation and privatisation of public services and strategic options for European trade unions," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 14(2), pages 295-311, May.
    6. John Peters, 2012. "Neoliberal convergence in North America and Western Europe: Fiscal austerity, privatization, and public sector reform," Review of International Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 208-235.
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