The European Summer University of Work was a stimulating exchange of ideas
among policy makers, trade union representatives and academics from across
Europe. During the sessions on ‘New Corporate Management’, for
example, it was possible to hear a number of first-hand accounts from the
proponents of what one might call ‘Brave New Trade Unionism’.
Various contributions emphasised that whilst neo-liberalism euphemises growing
attacks on labour by the mantra of global competitiveness, it denies workers’
right to have a say in corporate management, and hence, in their own working
lives. Union delegates, from France and Germany in particular, discussed their
own recent efforts to change this situation within the frame of ‘social
dialogue’. A broad agreement emerged among many participants about the
existence of ‘substantial differences’ between continental social
dialogue and the partnership project in Britain ‘as a capital-biased
initiative’.
Due to time-constraints it was not possible to discuss all the issues raised in the conference as fully as they deserved. Further debate would help to assist a fuller account of social dialogue with regard to its implications for international labour movements. Organising a European Conference of Work on an annual basis would provide much needed opportunities for the cross-fertilisation of ideas among trade unionists and academics on this issue. Moreover, it would be useful to include research-based contributions on the ‘Third World’ as the other side of the globalisation-coin. Addressing the under-representation of participants from ethnic minorities at future events would also help to inform debates about their ‘dual’ experiences from within and outside the European Union.
Surhan Cam and Hannah Wood, WLRI.
The European Summer University on Work included an exhibition of work imagery such as the photograph above taken by Gerad Dalla Santa
