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Bottom‐Up Unionization in China: A Power Resources Analysis

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  • Elaine Sio‐ieng Hui

Abstract

Drawing on the modified power resources approach, this article examines efforts at bottom‐up unionization by rural migrant workers in China. Prior to 2010, they utilized their associational power to pursue predominantly immediate economic interests, but since 2010, they have begun to deploy associational power, and societal power at times, in attempts to form enterprise unions that could provide them with workplace institutional power. Through three revelatory in‐depth case studies, the article investigates the efforts made by workers to unionize and the strategies used by employers, the state and the upper‐level unions to suppress them. It highlights that the attainment and exercise of workers’ power do not only play out in relation to employers but are also dependent on the role of the state and its apparatus.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:brjirl:v:60:y:2022:i:1:p:99-123
    DOI: 10.1111/bjir.12593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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