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Trade Unions Walking the Tightrope in Defending Workers' Interests

Wielding a Weapon Too Strong?

University of Oslo, Norway, a.c.bergene{at}sgeo.uio.no

This article explores the new opportunities and barriers to global trade unionism in contemporary capitalism. Through analyzing a concrete example of a labor dispute in the textile and garment industries, employing theories on the geography of class struggle, solidarity, and global trade unionism, it is argued that there are no easy ways out when it comes to global trade union strategies. The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation's (ITGLWF) involvement in a labor dispute with the Malaysian multinational Ramatex illustrates a currently favored global union strategy that had quite a drastic outcome. By way of conclusion, I reflect on alternative global trade union strategies, focusing particularly on rank-and-file involvement in a more concrete and proactive approach. However, it is emphasized that there are no panaceas, and that global trade union strategies must be tailored to individual circumstances. This necessitates an understanding of company strategies and having insights into the characteristics of the industry.

Key Words: global trade unionism • geography of class struggle • social partnership • textile and garment industry • Ramatex labor dispute in Namibia

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