Understanding European Trade Unionism : Between Market, Class and Society

′This book provides a timely insight into organized labour in an increasingly capitalist world.... It provides a scholarly insight that begs reading by policy makers in labour, business and the government′ - Professor Anil Verma, University of Toronto

This engaging and compelling work offers a fresh perspective and demonstrates how inherited traditions can serve as both resources and constraints in responding to the challenges which confront trade unions in today′s working world.

`[A] detailed and fascinating history of trade unions in the three countries [Britain, Germany, Italy]... considers how the unions could recover from the intense disarray of recent years′ - Labour Research

`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 today′s working world.