Social Partner or Social Movement? European Integration and Trade Union Renewal in Europe

Abstract

This article describes recent demonstrations of labour movement renewal in Europe, set against a background of new regionalized forms of corporate and state power," as well as European integration and globalization. Central to this renewal is an ongoing contradiction between social partnership initiatives proposed by institutionalized labour organizations and community based ""social movement unionism"". Successful resolution of this tension depends on reconciling workplace-focused strategy with larger social justice struggles. Such a resolution also has implications for North American labour organizing and revitalization.