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Union Organizing in China: Still a Monolithic Labor Movement?

Author

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  • Mingwei Liu

Abstract

In contrast to much of the research that treats the official All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) as a monolithic organization, the author argues that there is considerable variation within ACFTU in terms of local union organizing strategies. Using extensive field research and interviews with regional union officials, grassroots union cadres, shop floor workers, and employers and managers in China during the period 2005–2007, the author contributes to an understanding of contemporary trade union strategies in China. Moreover, his analysis of regional union strategies suggests three patterns of union organizing: the traditional ACFTU pattern, the union association pattern, and the regional, industry-based bargaining pattern, each with vastly different consequences for the future of trade unions and collective bargaining in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingwei Liu, 2010. "Union Organizing in China: Still a Monolithic Labor Movement?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 64(1), pages 30-52, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:64:y:2010:i:1:p:30-52
    DOI: 10.1177/001979391006400102
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yang Yao & Ninghua Zhong, 2013. "Unions and Workers' Welfare in Chinese Firms," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 31(3), pages 633-667.
    2. Wenjing Duan & Pedro S. Martins, 2022. "Rent sharing in China: Magnitude, heterogeneity and drivers," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 60(1), pages 176-219, March.
    3. Song, Yang & Yang, Jidong & Yang, Qijing, 2016. "Do firms' political connections depress the union wage effect? Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 183-198.
    4. Mingwei Liu & Chunyun Li, 2014. "Environment Pressures, Managerial Industrial Relations Ideologies and Unionization in Chinese Enterprises," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 52(1), pages 82-111, March.
    5. Enying Zheng & Simon Deakin, 2016. "State and Knowledge Production: Industrial Relations Scholarship under Chinese Capitalism," Working Papers wp480, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    6. Manfred Elfstrom, 2019. "A Tale of Two Deltas: Labour Politics in Jiangsu and Guangdong," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 57(2), pages 247-274, June.
    7. Chang Hee Lee & Mingwei Liu, 2011. "Collective Bargaining in Transition: Measuring the Effects of Collective Voice in China," Chapters, in: Susan Hayter (ed.), The Role of Collective Bargaining in the Global Economy, chapter 8, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Li, Chunyun & Liu, Mingwei, 2018. "Overcoming the collective action problems facing Chinese workers: lessons from four protests against Walmart," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 89066, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    9. 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.
    10. Elfstrom, Manfred & Kuruvilla, Sarosh, 2014. "The changing nature of labor unrest in China," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 65141, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    11. 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.
    12. 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.

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