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Unions for whom? Union democracy and precarious workers in Poland and Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Stefania Marino

    (University of Manchester, UK)

  • Magdalena Bernaciak

    (American University in Bulgaria)

  • Adam Mrozowicki

    (University of Wrocław, Poland)

  • Valeria Pulignano

    (Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium)

Abstract

Focusing on the cases of Italy and Poland, this article examines the link between union organizational democracy and the economic and political inclusion of precarious workers. It argues that union membership of vulnerable groups is not a necessary condition for the representation of their voice and economic interests by labour organizations; rather, these two forms of inclusion are shaped primarily by the institutional contexts in which unions operate as well as by their identities and structural characteristics. In both examined countries the economic inclusion of precarious workers has been more advanced, while the degree of their political inclusion has lagged behind and varied across major union confederations in line with two distinct models of unionism: a solidaristic and a diversity-oriented one.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Marino & Magdalena Bernaciak & Adam Mrozowicki & Valeria Pulignano, 2019. "Unions for whom? Union democracy and precarious workers in Poland and Italy," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 40(1), pages 111-131, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:40:y:2019:i:1:p:111-131
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X18780330
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Magdalena Bernaciak, 2013. "Social dialogue revival or ‘PR corporatism’? Negotiating anti-crisis measures in Poland and Bulgaria1," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 19(2), pages 239-251, May.
    2. Adam Mrozowicki & Małgorzata Maciejewska, 2017. "‘The practice anticipates our reflections’ – radical unions in Poland," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 23(1), pages 67-77, February.
    3. Chiara Benassi & Lisa Dorigatti, 2015. "Straight to the Core — Explaining Union Responses to the Casualization of Work: The IG Metall Campaign for Agency Workers," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 53(3), pages 533-555, September.
    4. Miguel Martínez Lucio & Robert Perrett, 2009. "The Diversity and Politics of Trade Unions' Responses to Minority Ethnic and Migrant Workers: The Context of the UK," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 30(3), pages 324-347, August.
    5. Nadja Doerflinger & Valeria Pulignano, 2018. "Crisis-related collective bargaining and its effects on different contractual groups of workers in German and Belgian workplaces," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 39(1), pages 131-150, February.
    6. Edmund Heery, 2009. "Trade unions and contingent labour: scale and method," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 2(3), pages 429-442.
    7. Jan Czarzasty & Katarzyna Gajewska & Adam Mrozowicki, 2014. "Institutions and Strategies: Trends and Obstacles to Recruiting Workers into Trade Unions in Poland," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 52(1), pages 112-135, March.
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    Cited by:

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