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Trade union involvement in work-family life balance : lessons from France, in Work, employment and society

Author

Listed:
  • Delphine Brochard

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Marie-Thérèse Letablier

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This article explores the challenges faced by union involvement in work-family life balance. It draws on the French case, where the state's explicit call for firms to address the work-family life balance issue, notably through mandatory collective bargaining, has provided opportunities for union mobilisation. Findings from qualitative research conducted at branch and company levels show that this public strategy has failed to stimulate innovation in related union policy and practices, even within a relatively feminised and partnership-oriented confederation. The reasons for this failure are discussed using a theoretical framework combining opportunity structure, and voice and choice issues. The article concludes that union underinvestment in work-family life balance results from a lack of effectiveness of the opportunity structure, but also, more specifically, from voice and choice factors which lead union representatives to downplay the issues at stake in this new bargaining agenda.

Suggested Citation

  • Delphine Brochard & Marie-Thérèse Letablier, 2017. "Trade union involvement in work-family life balance : lessons from France, in Work, employment and society," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-01500342, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-01500342
    DOI: 10.1177/0950017016680316
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    Cited by:

    1. Anne‐Sophie Bruno & Nathalie Greenan & Jeremy Tanguy, 2021. "Does the Gender Mix Influence Collective Bargaining on Gender Equality? Evidence from France," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 479-520, October.
    2. Veronika Lemeire & Patrizia Zanoni, 2022. "Beyond methodological nationalism in explanations of gender equality: The impact of EU policies on gender provisions in national collective agreements in Belgium (1957–2020)," European Journal of Industrial Relations, , vol. 28(1), pages 47-64, March.

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