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What Sort of Collective Bargaining Is Emerging in China?

Author

Listed:
  • Chang-Hee Lee
  • William Brown
  • Xiaoyi Wen

Abstract

China is experiencing a rapid expansion of what is termed ‘collective bargaining’. The article draws on workplace and sectoral examples to assess what underlies this. Recent changes in labour policy are outlined. Four studies at establishment level describe the use of hybrid representation in response to growing worker activism and internal union reform. Two studies of sectoral bargaining shed light on decentralized decision-making on pay. Attention is drawn to the growth of employer organizations and increased articulation within the trade union. A form of collective bargaining is emerging where the union draws on state power to improve conditions of employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang-Hee Lee & William Brown & Xiaoyi Wen, 2016. "What Sort of Collective Bargaining Is Emerging in China?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 54(1), pages 214-236, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:54:y:2016:i:1:p:214-236
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/bjir.12109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chang Kai & William Brown, 2013. "The transition from individual to collective labour relations in C hina," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(2), pages 102-121, March.
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    5. Simon Clarke & Tim Pringle, 2009. "Can party-led trade unions represent their members?," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(1), pages 85-101.
    6. Eli Friedman & Ching Kwan Lee, 2010. "Remaking the World of Chinese Labour: A 30‐Year Retrospective," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 48(3), pages 507-533, September.
    7. repec:ilo:ilowps:446818 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. John R. Commons, 1909. "American Shoemakers, 1648–1895 A Sketch of Industrial Evolution," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 24(1), pages 39-84.
    9. Fang Cai & Meiyan Wang, 2012. "Labour Market Changes, Labour Disputes and Social Cohesion in China," OECD Development Centre Working Papers 307, OECD Publishing.
    10. Lee, Chang Hee., 2009. "Industrial relations and collective bargaining in China," ILO Working Papers 994468183402676, International Labour Organization.
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    Cited by:

    1. Williams, Glynne & Davies, Steve & Lamptey, Julius & Tetteh, Jonathan, 2017. "Chinese multinationals: Threat to, or opportunity for, trade unions? The case of Sinohydro in Ghana," GLU Working Papers 46, Global Labour University (GLU).
    2. Hao ZHANG & Eli FRIEDMAN, 2021. "Faltering standardization: Conflict and labour relations in China's taxi and sanitation industries," International Labour Review, International Labour Organization, vol. 160(3), pages 363-385, September.
    3. Wei Huang, 2022. "What sort of workplace democracy can democratic management achieve in China?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(6), pages 578-601, November.
    4. Lu Zhang & Tao Yang, 2022. "Worker Activism and Enterprise Union Reform in China: A Case Study of Grassroots Union Agency in the Auto Parts Industry," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(2), pages 396-423, March.
    5. Morley K. Gunderson & Byron Y. Lee & Hui Wang, 2024. "Worker Congresses in China: Do they matter?," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(1), pages 43-58, January.
    6. Judith Shuqin Zhu & Chris Nyland, 2017. "Chinese employer associations, institutional complementarity and countervailing power," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 31(2), pages 284-301, April.
    7. Andy W. Chan & Ed Snape & Michelle S. Luo & Yujuan Zhai, 2017. "The Developing Role of Unions in China's Foreign-Invested Enterprises," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 55(3), pages 602-625, September.
    8. Elaine Sio‐ieng Hui, 2022. "Bottom‐Up Unionization in China: A Power Resources Analysis," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(1), pages 99-123, March.

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