A Comparison of the Trade Union Merger Process in Britain and Germany: Joining Forces?

by Hoffman,Jnrgen

• ISBN13: 9780415353786
• ISBN10: 0415353785
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-07-12
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Trade unions in Europe are currently facing a series of challenges that stem from changes to regulatory and production regimes implemented by the state and employers, in order to compete in an increasingly internationalized economy. In response to these challenges trade union movements have been dramatically restructuring; long-standing principles of organization have been jettisoned in an attempt to develop new structures. Central to this process of structural adaptation are the mergers of trade unions. This book focuses on the merger process in Britain and Germany and reviews the wider implications of these developments particularly for North America. As well as addressing the reasons for mergers, the book also examines the process whereby mergers are concluded and analyzes the costs and benefits of the post-merger organization. Drawing on interviews conducted with senior policy-makers engaged in merger processes,A Comparison of the Trade Union Merger Process in Britain and Germanyexploresthe extent of internal union reform brought about by the merger process and also identifies the implications of this reform for trade unions worldwide.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	ix
Preface	x
List of abbreviations	xiii
Terms of union government and activity	xvi
1 Introducing the themes	1	(20)
Defining the merger process	3	(2)
Reasons for the merger	5	(3)
Selection of a merger partner and processes of negotiation	8	(4)
Merger outcomes	12	(5)
Towards an explanation of the merger process	17	(2)
The structure of the book	19	(2)
2 What distinguishes the British and German systems?	21	(14)
Two forms of capitalism	21	(2)
Different regulatory regimes	23	(2)
Two systems of collective bargaining	25	(8)
Mergers as a means to address these challenges	33	(2)
3 Locating our cases	35	(33)
German trade union structure	36	(14)
British trade union structure	50	(16)
Conclusions	66	(2)
4 Pre-merger membership and financial trends	68	(43)
Pre-merger membership trends: Germany	68	(8)
Pre-merger membership trends: Britain	76	(7)
Pre-merger financial trends	83	(26)
Conclusions	109	(2)
5 Pre-merger debates and positioning	111	(23)
The IG BCE merger process	111	(4)
The ver.di merger process	115	(6)
The GMB merger process	121	(8)
The UNISON merger process	129	(2)
Conclusions	131	(3)
6 Settling the terms of the mergers	134	(41)
The IG BCE merger process	134	(7)
The ver.di merger process	141	(13)
The GMB merger process	154	(8)
The UNISON merger process	162	(11)
Conclusions	173	(2)
7 Post-merger developments	175	(49)
Changing relationships with the state, employers and other unions	176	(10)
Post-merger membership and finance	186	(19)
Post-merger organisation	205	(17)
Conclusions	222	(2)
8 Conclusion	224	(23)
The merger process and its explanation	225	(12)
Mergers, renewal and the future of union structure	237	(10)
Notes	247	(12)
References	259	(16)
Index	275