„Arbeit am Konflikt“ – eine Fallstudie zum Europäischen Betriebsrat von General Motors

In contrast to the advancements in the transnationalisation of markets lasting transnational action of trade unions has so far been the exception rather than the rule. The institutions of labour relations which might support employee representation have remained at a national level. This article investigates trade unions and European Works Councils in their role as institutional entrepreneurs who themselves participate in the creation and maintenance of transnational logics of action and norms of solidarity. Institutional work on the class conflict carried out by those involved in industrial relations aims at changing power relations between management and labour in transnational companies and production networks. By examining the case of General Motors Europe/GM-Opel, the specific conditions available to employees for such strategies over the course of time are identified. Although the recent economic crisis has led to an erosion of trust amongst employee representatives, we argue that common norms of solidarity have, at least in part, remained effective.