Routledge Can Class Still Unite?: The Differentiated Work Force, Class Solidarity and Trade Unions (Routledge Revivals)

This title was first published in 2001. This detailed study of European trade unions also addresses academic concerns about the continuing relevance of the class concept as an analytical tool. As a social movement, the trade union has always used the class principal to unite and defend workers, and the diverse contributions to this volume enable the more accurate positioning of class discourse within both the debate about trade unions and wider sociological inquiry. Review 'Can Class Still Unite? certainly contains valuable insights into both the "death of class" debate and how people respond to structural change...this book contains a good overview of changes occurring in Europe and stimulates comparisons with Australian experiences of industrial and societal change. It provides useful material for those interested in the broad question of class and the problems of union renewal.' Journal of Industrial Relations 'The volume stresses the myth of previous unity and questions class as unity. It emphasises the contingent, relational nature of processes and outcomes of social formations and collective behaviour.' Industrial Relations Journal 'This is a valuable collection for people working on the broad topics of class, union and workplace organisation, providing some useful data for comparative analysis. A particular strength is the strong theoretical character exhibited in several chapters...the book's most remarkable feature is that, for all the diversity of contemporary societies and workplaces, it shows how unions and researchers face very similar challenges across a wide range of national settings. Can Class Still Unite? suggests some worthwhile avenues for responding to these challenges.' Labour & Industry About the Author Guy Van Gyes, HIVA - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium Hans De Witte, HIVA - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium Patrick Pasture, HIVA - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium