Trade Unions and New Member State Workers in Germany and the United Kingdom

Abstract

This article compares German and British trade union responses in a European context following the European enlargements in 2004 and 2007 that are unprecedented in the history of the European Union (EU). In particular, this article examines two case studies to explore how trade unions have responded to increased migration following the enlargements. Increased migration has created a number of problems for trade unions that are examined in the case studies. The findings of the case studies are used to undertake a contextualized comparison of trade union behaviour in responding to the changing regulatory and opportunity structures that present themselves following the enlargements. Account is taken of the role that trade unions adopt within their national legal systems, as well as of the effects of the EU's policy of Europeanization on national trade unions. This article concludes by elaborating a number of recommendations based on the analysis.