The Rise of the Conglomerate Union

Abstract

This article discusses two cases, Germany and The Netherlands, whose systems of trade unionism have historically shared a number of characteristics, in particular a commitment to industrial unionism. In both countries a profound transformation of union organization is under way, affecting in particular the demarcation of union domains; the relationships between unions with respect to their division of representational territory and organizational jurisdiction; and the relationship between unions and their peak associations. It does not appear that this parallel transformation of union systems is a consequence of the growing interdependence between industrial nations. To the extent that we observe identical developments in different countries, they seem to be caused by identical endogenous factors resulting in convergence but in the absence of diffusion or other forms of mutual causation.