Understanding European Trade Unionism Between Market, Class and Society [Paperback]

In this comprehensive overview of trade unionism in Europe and beyond, Richard Hyman offers a fresh perspective on trade union identity, ideology and strategy. He shows how the varied forms and impact of different national movements reflect historical choices on whether to emphasize a role as market bargainers, mobilizers of class opposition or partners in social integration. The book demonstrates how these inherited traditions can serve as both resources and constraints in responding to the challenges which confront trade unions in`Everyone concerned over the construction of a truly social Europe will learn much from this thoughtful and probing study. - Professor Colin Crouch, Istituto Universitario Europeo

In this comprehensive overview of trade unionism in Europe and beyond, Richard Hyman offers a fresh perspective on trade union identity, ideology and strategy. He shows how the varied forms and impact of different national movements reflect historical choices on whether to emphasize a role as market bargainers, mobilizers of class opposition or partners in social integration. The book demonstrates how these inherited traditions can serve as both resources and constraints in responding to the challenges which confront trade unions in`Engaging and essential reading for those interested in the historical and recent evolution of trade union movements in Europe' - Construction Labour Research

`The book combines theoretical analyses of trade unionism with short histories... is clearly written, well argued and largely jargon free' - Labour History Reviló-