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Taming Labor: Workers’ Struggles, Workplace Unionism, and Collective Bargaining on a Chinese Waterfront

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  • Tim Pringle
  • Quan Meng

Abstract

This article examines the case of the Yantian International Container Terminal (YICT) to consider under what conditions unions can provide effective workplace representation in China. The authors draw on semi-structured interviews to analyze how and why the union was effective, despite rigid prohibitions against organizing outside of the Party-led All-China Federation of Trade Unions. The authors argue that the YICT union developed a system of annual collective bargaining that tamed the power of militant dockworkers and helped prevent strikes. This outcome required an effective enterprise-level trade union that was nevertheless able to influence and manage members’ somewhat ambiguous acceptance of its role. Ultimately, workers’ interests were partially represented and their acquisition of associational power—in the form of trade unions—increased.

Suggested Citation

  • Tim Pringle & Quan Meng, 2018. "Taming Labor: Workers’ Struggles, Workplace Unionism, and Collective Bargaining on a Chinese Waterfront," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 71(5), pages 1053-1077, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:ilrrev:v:71:y:2018:i:5:p:1053-1077
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Chunyun, 2021. "From insurgency to movement: an embryonic labor movement undermining hegemony in South China," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 101456, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. 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.
    3. Jude Howell & Tim Pringle, 2019. "Shades of Authoritarianism and State–Labour Relations in China," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 57(2), pages 223-246, June.
    4. 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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