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Interpreting strike activity in western Europe in the past 20 years: the labour repertoire under pressure

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  • Kurt Vandaele

    (ETUI, Brussels)

Abstract

This article provides a comparative overview of developments in strike activity in western Europe since the mid-1990s. It uses various indicators to analyse discernible trends over time in levels and patterns of strike activity across sectors and countries. The article argues that strikes are generally blending into a broader palette of workers’ repertoire of collective action. This possible blending applies in particular to a context in which the institutional logic of collective bargaining is underdeveloped or has been undermined.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurt Vandaele, 2016. "Interpreting strike activity in western Europe in the past 20 years: the labour repertoire under pressure," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(3), pages 277-294, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:22:y:2016:i:3:p:277-294
    DOI: 10.1177/1024258916658804
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Oscar Molina & Oriol Barranco, 2016. "Trade union strategies to enhance strike effectiveness in Italy and Spain," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 22(3), pages 383-399, August.
    9. Rüdig, Wolfgang & Karyotis, Georgios, 2014. "Who Protests in Greece? Mass Opposition to Austerity," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 44(3), pages 487-513, July.
    10. Béla Greskovits, 2015. "Ten years of enlargement and the forces of labour in Central and Eastern Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 21(3), pages 269-284, August.
    11. Robert Hebdon & Sung Chul Noh, 2013. "A Theory of Workplace Conflict Development: From Grievances to Strikes," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Gregor Gall (ed.), New Forms and Expressions of Conflict at Work, chapter 3, pages 26-47, Palgrave Macmillan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria da Paz Campos Lima & Antonio Martín Artiles, 2018. "Social protests, discontent and politics in southern and eastern Europe," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 24(2), pages 195-215, May.
    2. Kurt Vandaele, 2021. "Applauded ‘nightingales’ voicing discontent. Exploring labour unrest in health and social care in Europe before and since the COVID-19 pandemic," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 27(3), pages 399-411, August.
    3. Gregor Murray, 2017. "Union renewal: what can we learn from three decades of research?," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 23(1), pages 9-29, February.
    4. Jesper Hamark, 2022. "Strikes and lockouts: The need to separate labour conflicts," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(4), pages 1891-1910, November.

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