This is a historic fall, even more noticeable since social relations are tense because of the economic crisis that started at the end of 2008. A sign that unions, which represent a fourth of active workers, are loosing their influence, two in three strikes were organized by trade unions in 2009, and the others were wild strikes. In 2000-2009, one in three strikes was a wild strike. Half the strikes launched in 2009 were in manufacturing, due to wage increase and part of the negotiation of collective agreements. Other strike factors were job cuts, restructurings and relocations. Please note go-slow strikes in transportation caused by attacks on bus drivers. 2002 was the worst in terms of days lost because of strikes (245,000 in total), because unions were opposed to the reform of early retirement, which was later adopted, and because of a block in negotiations for the collective agreement in building (see our dispatch No. 06742). In 1995, massive strikes were organized in construction.
of strikes (245,000 in total), because unions were opposed to the reform of early retirement, which was later adopted, and because of a block in negotiations for the collective agreement in building (see our dispatch No. 06742). In 1995, massive strikes were organized in construction.
Planet Labor, April 20, 2010, No. 100323 – www.planetlabor.com
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