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Trade union power during labour adjustments – comparison of company-level cases

Author

Listed:
  • Jørgen Svalund

    (PhD fellow and researcher at Fafo Institute for Labour and Social Research, Oslo)

  • Heidi Kervinen

    (Researcher (M.Soc.Sc.) at the Work Research Centre, Tampere University)

Abstract

This article discusses local trade union power in labour adjustment processes within the Nordic systems of industrial relations by comparing labour adjustment processes in construction and manufacturing in Finland and Norway. The quality of cooperative relations and the conditions for exchange – through co-decision mechanisms and procedures, as well as rules for temporary lay-offs and dismissal selections – are essential for union influence. Together with production technologies, the organization of work and employee competence, such institutions and regulations interact in influencing union power, providing more influence to the unions in the Norwegian cases than the Finnish ones, while the unions in the manufacturing cases were more influential than those in construction.

Suggested Citation

  • Jørgen Svalund & Heidi Kervinen, 2013. "Trade union power during labour adjustments – comparison of company-level cases," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 19(4), pages 489-505, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:19:y:2013:i:4:p:489-505
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258913501761
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vera Glassner & Maarten Keune & Paul Marginson, 2011. "Collective bargaining in a time of crisis: developments in the private sector in Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 17(3), pages 303-322, August.
    2. Torgeir Aarvaag Stokke, 2002. "Conflict regulation in the Nordic countries," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 8(4), pages 670-687, November.
    3. Dahl, Svenn-Åge & Nesheim, Torstein, 1998. "Downsizing strategies and institutional environments," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 239-257, March.
    4. Christian Lévesque & Gregor Murray, 2010. "Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 333-350, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Andrea Signoretti, 2016. "Analysis of Italian medium-sized enterprises’ collective bargaining from an international perspective: Evidence from the manufacturing sector," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 37(4), pages 716-738, November.
    2. Jørgen Svalund, 2015. "Adjusting labour through crisis: A three industry comparison," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 36(1), pages 99-121, February.

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