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Emergent Design

The International Research Network on Autowork in the Americas

Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, s.babson{at}wayne.edu

Huberto Juárez

Autonomous University of Puebla, Mexico, hujuarez{at}siu.buap.mx

Unions seeking cross-border alliances need research that identifies allies, analyzes the economic and political terrain, and clarifies the issues that unify workers. The International Research Network on Autowork in the Americas (IRNAA) is analyzed as one such effort that began as an academic enterprise and evolved into a clearinghouse for cross-border union communication and from there into a national forum for Mexican auto unions. This unanticipated evolution and the eventual disappointment of IRNAA's ambitious goals suggests that labor-oriented academics can make a substantial contribution to initiating cross-border links between unions but cannot sustain them independently of other necessary conditions for international solidarity. IRNAA's experience also demonstrates both the strengths and the weaknesses of personal networks in initiating cross-border collaboration. The narrative and analysis depends primarily on the authors' "insider account" as cofounders and coordinators of this undertaking.

Key Words: unions • research • North American auto industry • cross-border solidarity • Mexican auto labor

References

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Babson, S. Articles by Juárez, H. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?