Kriza sindikata i mogući pravci njihove reforme
Crisis of Trade Unions and Possible Directions of their Reform

Author(s): Mario Reljanović
Subject(s): Sociology, Labor relations, Transformation Period (1990 - 2010), Present Times (2010 - today), Labour and Social Security Law
Published by: Durieux
Keywords: right to trade union association; trade union crisis; trade union reform; social dialogue;
Summary/Abstract: Trade union membership has been declining in recent decades. They are becoming less popular for several reasons: the nature of jobs that dominate is changing and new professions are often individualistic; predominant forms of work are becoming flexible and geared towards reducing workers’ rights (especially collective ones); trade unions are cumbersome bureaucratized structures that cannot respond effectively to labour market challenges and changes. The research follows the stated causes of the trade union crisis from the perspective of the countries of Southeast Europe, a region that sees its future mainly in the »race to the bottom«. The implications of such state policies are multiple and they are felt in the trade unions themselves, ie union–active workers. Identifying the causes and finding an alternative are the main goals of the research. The initial hypotheses are pointed in two directions. On the one hand, it is shown that the existing symbiosis of state policy makers and owners of capital, significantly affects the possibilities of realization of collective rights of workers. On the other hand, a theoretical model of a »new union« is being introduced in order to respond to some of the challenges posed, making the idea of collective strength and solidarity attractive to workers again, while adapting to the new reality of social relations, labour market movements and aggressive neoliberal policies of diminishing labour rights. The research begins with a brief review of the legacy of the previous system of socialist self-governing relations in Yugoslavia. Then, a cross-section of normative solutions and the factual state of trade unions is made in selected countries - Croatia, Serbia and Hungary. In the next part of the research, based on the previous review, the most important conclusions concerning the trade union crisis in this region are sublimated. Finally, the last part of the research is devoted to concluding remarks, and alternative solution to the actions of the trade union in the existing unfavorable circumstances is offered.

• Details
• Contents