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Professionals on the road to contention: Social movement unionism in healthcare labour disputes across Europe

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  • Imre G. Szabó

Abstract

The recent upsurge in healthcare labour disputes across Europe signals a shift in the attitude of public service professionals towards contentious politics. However, the analysis of these events so far has neglected the specific dilemmas of contention among professionals. To fill this gap, the article builds on social movements theory and claims that to achieve success, professional organizations need to adjust the protest tactics of the labour movement along the three dimensions of targeting, framing and coordination. As an alternative to mass strikes, the targeted use of the protest repertoire minimizes the costs and maximizes the visibility of collective action. Framing around service quality links wage demands to wider justification themes that resonate with the public. Coordination across groups with different skill levels strengthens the effect of both targeting and framing. A comparative study of four healthcare campaigns in four countries (Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland) confirms the key role that these dimensions play.

Suggested Citation

  • Imre G. Szabó, 2022. "Professionals on the road to contention: Social movement unionism in healthcare labour disputes across Europe," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(1), pages 410-430, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:43:y:2022:i:1:p:410-430
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X20903090
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karoly Fazekas & Lászlo Neumann (ed.), 2014. "The Hungarian Labour Market 2014," The Hungarian Labour Market Yearbooks, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, number 2014, December.
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