Patterns of speech activity at ETUC Executive Committee meetings, 2005–2012

Abstract

This article analyses the speech activities of trade unions at European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Executive Committee meetings, 2005Committee meetings, -2012. It is based on the minutes of 48 meetings and direct observations of some of them. The most frequent themes are economic issues, communications and labour law, followed by common activities and intra-organizational issues. Analysis by different regime types shows marked differences in the extent and focus of participation; an important factor behind these differences appears to be the unions' role in their national industrial relations systems. The impact of the economic crisis in Southern Europe is also highly visible. Another aspect is the number of seats the organizations hold, mirroring size as well as financial and human resources. Moreover, speech patterns seem to reflect ideological and cultural differences.

Challenges posed by the EU minimum wage initiative to the ETUC and European trade union cooperation

“…Something that does indicate that national and regional differences play a major role in the European arena, however, are the major obstacles to European trade union cooperation that Nordic unions find in terms of differences in legislation and policy, not to mention language, culture and ideology between unions in different countries (Larsson, 2012). Previous research also shows that there are clear effects of such ‘regime differences’ on other aspects of trade union strategies and approaches (Busemeyer et al, 2008; Glassner and Vandaele, 2012; Furåker and Bengtsson, 2013a, 2013b; Furåker and Lovén Seldén, 2013, 2016; Larsson, 2014, 2015; Mitchell, 2007). 8…”

Cultural Obstacles in Transnational Trade Union Cooperation in Europe

“…(24 UK) In addition, such cultural differences affect the internal democratic processes in joint organizations. One example is the variation between the more 'talkative' southern European delegates and the more 'taciturn' Nordics highlighted in a study of speech patterns at meetings of the executive committee of ETUC (Furåker and Lovén Seldén, 2016). Because the Nordic countries generally have strong coordination through their joint organizations, their position is already negotiated with less room and need to mark a unique position: 'So we make a few statements to explain our position, and then the others get to talk' (16 SE).…”

Patterns of Transnational Trade Union Cooperation in Europe

“…Such things may seem trivial, but they affect the internal processes in the European organizations. One example is the difference between the more 'talkative' Southern European delegates and the more 'taciturn' Nordic, as shown in a study of speech patterns at ETUC Executive Committee meetings (Furåker and Lovén Seldén 2016). At such meetings, the Nordic delegates are coordinated through their joint organizations (Seeliger 2019: 169-170, 212-213, 226).…”