Youth representatives’ opinions on recruiting and representing young workers: A twofold unsatisfied demand?

Abstract

Unionization levels are far lower among young workers than for the workforce in general. How can trade unions become more responsive to their particular interests and needs? Union confederations, even in countries with decentralized union structures, have the potential to take effective initiatives to facilitate and support new organizing strategies targeted at young workers, for example by spreading knowledge, practical skills and vision of relevance for improving the representation and recruitment of young workers. Yet the survey findings reported here show that youth representatives across Europe find their confederations’ responsiveness and commitment to organizing to be inadequate. Their dissatisfaction confirms previous research findings concerning young workers and their unfulfilled desire for unionization.

Shaping the future of industrial relations in the EU: Ideas, paradoxes and drivers of change

“…Survey data show that a substantial majority across Europe believes employees need the protection of strong trade unions and that this conviction has been strengthening since the early 1980s (ibid.). Even among young workers, notorious for their low unionization, an "unsatisfied demand for trade unionism" can be observed (Vandaele, 2012). The key point here is that the individualization thesis should not be reproduced uncritically and projected on collective employee representation.…”

Ideas, paradojas y factores de cambio determinantes de las relaciones laborales futuras en la UE

“…Las encuestas muestran que en Europa la gran mayoría de la población cree que los trabajadores necesitan la protección de unos sindicatos fuertes y que esta convicción ha ido afianzándose desde principios de los años ochenta (ibid.). Incluso entre los trabajadores jóvenes, cuya tasa de sindicación es notoriamente baja, se observa una «demanda insatisfecha de sindicalismo» (Vandaele, 2012). Lo esencial es que la tesis de la individualización no debería sostenerse sin someterse a crítica, ni aplicarse a la representación colectiva de los asalariados.…”

L'avenir des relations professionnelles dans l'Union européenne: idées, paradoxes et sources du changement

“…Les résultats d'enquêtes montrent qu'en Europe une forte majorité des gens pense que les salariés ont besoin de la protection de syndicats forts, conviction qui va en se renforçant depuis le début des années 1980 (ibid.). Même chez les travailleurs jeunes, pourtant connus pour leur faible taux de syndicalisation, on peut observer «une demande insatisfaite de syndicalisme» (Vandaele, 2012). Ici, l'essentiel est de ne pas répéter sans réflexion critique la thèse de l'individualisation et de ne pas la projeter sur la représentation collective des salariés.…”