Local versus Global: Activating Local Union Power in the Global Economy

The Aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and Union Strategies in the Australian Public Service

“…Nonetheless, they do provide an opportunity for unions to reposition themselves to exercise collective power in distinct ways. In a noteworthy essay, Lévesque and Murray (2002) demonstrate how unions might mobilize their power resources in relation to the changing balance of power brought about by changes in global capital. They focus on three particular levers of union power: agenda (or "pro-activity" and the ability of unions to shape an agenda); internal solidarity (democracy and cohesion within unions); and external solidarity (alliances and inter-union articulation).…”

“…As indicated above, the CPSU, as the major union representing public service workers in the Australian Commonwealth, undertook a long-term strategy of reorganization and capacity building focused on standard and traditional union objectives. The point of noting union purpose in these ways is to highlight the novelty of the process of union building that is underway (see Lévesque and Murray, 2002;Bach and Kessler, 2012). In pursuit of these objectives, the union was able to frame its goals in relation to the state as employer, thereby laying the foundation for members to pursue their material interests as employees in exploitative sets of relations.…”

Puissance et pouvoir en négociation collective

“…De façon similaire, les structures de négociation peuvent favoriser l'une ou l'autre des parties (Mishel, 1986). Afin de combiner et de mobiliser les ressources propres aux travailleurs, comme leur position dans le processus de production (Perrone, Olin Wright et Griffin, 1984) et leur situation financière (Sexton, 2001), l'organisation syndicale dispose également de ressources (Batstone, 1989), telles que la qualité de la représentation, la démocratie interne, la solidarité externe et l'existence d'un projet syndical autonome et mobilisateur (Lévesque et Murray, 2002, 2010. D'autres auteurs ont tenté de définir le fondement de la puissance et du pouvoir.…”

Pistes de renouveau syndical : défis et enjeux

“…Ces récits suggèrent que les syndicats ne sont pas entièrement démunis face aux exigences de la nouvelle économie. Ils insistent sur la nécessité, pour les syndicats, de diversifier les stratégies d'action et de mobiliser de nouvelles ressources afin d'accroître leur pouvoir (Dufour et Hege, 2002;Lévesque et Murray, 2002). Si, durant la période d 'après-guerre (1945-75) institutionnelle permettaient aux syndicats de changer le cours des choses, force est d'admettre que ceux-ci doivent aujourd'hui faire preuve de plus de créativité et de proactivité afin de construire leur rapport de force.…”

“…These narratives suggest that trade unions are not powerless when confronted with the challenges of the new economy. The accounts stress the need for trade unions to diversify their strategies and to mobilize new resources to increase their power (Dufour and Hege, 2002;Lévesque and Murray, 2002). During the post-war period , the presence of experienced negotiators and lawyers, coupled with financial and institutional stability, enabled trade -HAIVEN, L., C. LÉVESQUE and N. ROBY, Interuniversity Research Centre on Globalization and Work (CRIMT -Université de Montréal, Université Laval, HEC Montréal, www.crimt.org); professor at St-Marys University (larry.haiven@smu.ca) and at HEC Montréal (christian.levesque@hec.ca); CRIMT's scientific coordinator (nicolas.roby@ umontreal.ca).…”